The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Release \Re*lease"\, n.
   1. The act of letting loose or freeing, or the state of being
      let loose or freed; liberation or discharge from restraint
      of any kind, as from confinement or bondage. "Who boast'st
      release from hell." --Milton.
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   2. Relief from care, pain, or any burden.
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   3. Discharge from obligation or responsibility, as from debt,
      penalty, or claim of any kind; acquittance.
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   4. (Law) A giving up or relinquishment of some right or
      claim; a conveyance of a man's right in lands or tenements
      to another who has some estate in possession; a quitclaim.
      --Blackstone.
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   5. (Steam Engine) The act of opening the exhaust port to
      allow the steam to escape.
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   6. (Mach.) A device adapted to hold or release a device or
      mechanism as required; specif.: (Elec.) A catch on a
      motor-starting rheostat, which automatically releases the
      rheostat arm and so stops the motor in case of a break in
      the field circuit; also, the catch on an electromagnetic
      circuit breaker for a motor, which acts in case of an
      overload.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   7. (Phon.) The act or manner of ending a sound.
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   8. (Railroads) In the block-signaling system, a printed card
      conveying information and instructions to be used at
      intermediate sidings without telegraphic stations.
      [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

   Lease and release. (Law) See under Lease.

   Out of release, without cessation. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   Syn: Liberation; freedom; discharge. See Death.
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