desserrer

From dé- (“undo”) +‎ serrer (“to tighten”).

• IPA^(key): /de.sɛ.ʁe/ ~ /de.se.ʁe/

• Audio:

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desserrer

1. (transitive) to loosen (knot, belt, etc.)

   Tu devrais desserrer ta cravate si tu ne te sens pas bien.

   You should loosen your tie if you don't feel well.

2. (transitive) to unclench (teeth); relax (grip); release (brakes)

   Desserre ta main de mon bras, tu me fais mal !

   Stop squeezing my arm, you're hurting me!

   Tu n’iras pas loin si tu ne desserres pas le frein à main.

   You won't get very far if you don't take the handbrake off.

3. (transitive, typography) to space out
4. (transitive, economics) to ease, relax
5. (reflexive) to come loose; to slacken

   Le nœud était mal fait et la corde s’est desserrée.

   The knot was badly tied and the rope has come loose.

• desserrage
• desserrement
• ne pas desserrer les dents

• “desserrer”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.

• redresser