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Lax

Look up lax in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ''Lax'' is an English word with multiple meanings. It may refer to:
  • An adjective meaning loose, slack, or not strict
  • A noun referring to a salmon (a type of fish)
  • Places, such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Sports and culture, including the sport of lacrosse (often abbreviated as lax) and the associated lax bro subculture
  • Media and entertainment, such as various works titled "Lax"
  • Scientific and mathematical concepts, including lax vowels in linguistics, Lax pairs in mathematics, and laxatives in medicine
  • People with the surname Lax, such as the mathematician Peter D. Lax

Dictionary definitions

Adjective usage

The adjective lax primarily denotes something loose, slack, or deficient in firmness, often applied to physical structures, textures, or controls that lack tension, rigidity, or strictness. For instance, it describes muscles or ropes that are not tense (lax muscles), soils with an open texture (lax soil), or security measures that are insufficiently rigorous (lax security). In a botanical context, lax refers to flower clusters or inflorescences where the constituents are spread apart rather than compact, such as a lax panicle. The term originates from Latin laxus, meaning "wide, spacious, or loose," which entered around 1400, likely via lasche. This Latin root, derived from Proto-Indo-European lag-so- (related to concepts of slackness or languor), initially emphasized physical looseness before broadening metaphorically. Common usage extends to metaphorical senses of or leniency, such as lax —indicating undisciplined child-rearing—or lax of laws, where rules are applied carelessly. By the mid-15th century, the word had evolved from denoting literal slackness (e.g., in bowels or fabrics) to critiquing moral or disciplinary laxity, as seen in historical condemnations of laxists for overly permissive religious practices. This shift highlights its transition from concrete physical descriptions to abstract evaluations of rigor. The term's association with looseness also underpins related concepts like laxatives, which induce loose bowel movements.

Noun usage (salmon)

In English, "lax" serves as an archaic or dialectal noun specifically denoting the salmon, Salmo salar, the Atlantic salmon species native to the North Atlantic Ocean and its tributaries. This usage appears in historical and regional contexts, particularly within Scottish and Northern English dialects, where it refers to the fish prized for its migratory behavior from sea to freshwater rivers for spawning. The etymology of "lax" as a noun traces back to Old English leax, derived from Proto-Germanic *lahsaz, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *laks-, meaning "salmon." This root is distinct from the adjective "lax" meaning loose or slack, originating instead from a separate Latin source. Cognates persist in modern Germanic languages, such as German Lachs and Swedish lax, reflecting shared Indo-European heritage; Old Norse lax influenced its adoption in Anglo-Saxon England through Viking interactions. Historically, "lax" featured in medieval texts related to and , where it described salmon's role in sustenance and trade. For instance, records mention lax wer, a designed to trap migrating , highlighting early entrapment methods in riverine fisheries across . In culinary contexts, the term appeared in descriptions of preserved or fresh preparations, underscoring the fish's nutritional value in pre-modern diets. Though its prevalence waned as "salmon" became the standardized term in broader English usage, today it survives chiefly in dialectal or scholarly references. The noun "lax" connects briefly to "lox," a brined salmon preparation in Jewish-American cuisine, borrowed from Yiddish laks via the same Germanic root for .

Places

Los Angeles International Airport

, commonly known by its IATA code , is the primary international airport serving the area and one of the world's busiest aviation facilities. Adopted in 1947 as part of the of three-letter airport codes following the from two-letter identifiers in , the LAX designation derives from the city's initials "LA" with an added "X" as a filler to accommodate growing air traffic demands. In 2024, the airport handled approximately 76.6 million passengers, reflecting a 2.0% increase from the previous year and underscoring its role as a vital gateway for domestic and international on the U.S. . The airport traces its origins to Mines Field, which began operations in 1928, but it officially reopened for expanded commercial service on October 9, 1946, marking its establishment as . A landmark in its development was the construction of the iconic in 1961, a structure designed by architects and that symbolizes the airport's futuristic vision and serves as a central hub for passengers. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, LAX underwent significant security enhancements, including the implementation of federalized screening by the newly formed (TSA), which introduced mandatory passenger and baggage checks, restricted access to secure areas, and expanded checkpoint infrastructure to bolster nationwide. LAX features nine passenger terminals arranged in a semicircular layout around the airfield, facilitating efficient connections for over 80 airlines serving more than 300 destinations worldwide. The Tom Bradley International (TBIT), a key facility for long-haul international flights, includes expansive concourses with modern amenities such as luxury lounges, diverse dining options, and advanced customs processing for high-volume arrivals. As a major hub for and a focus city for , the airport supports extensive operations, with Delta accounting for about 20% of passenger traffic and American providing significant transcontinental and international services. The ongoing LAX Modernization Program, a $30 billion initiative launched in 2015, has completed several phases by 2025, including terminal core improvements and the introduction of enhanced passenger flow systems, with further elements like the slated for 2026 to connect terminals, parking, and ground transportation. In November 2025, $1 billion in additional funding was approved for the final phase of the Landside Access Modernization Program (ATMP) roadway improvements, with full program completion expected by 2030. Recent efforts include a $1.6 billion project to demolish Terminal 5 and modernize facilities ahead of the . Ranking as the world's seventh-busiest airport by passenger traffic in 2024, plays a pivotal role in Southern California's , generating 620,600 direct and indirect jobs, $37.3 billion in labor income, and $126 billion in annual economic output (as of 2024) through , , and related industries. Its strategic location supports the region's status as a global trade and entertainment center, handling substantial cargo volumes and fostering connections that drive revenue exceeding $20 billion yearly.

Other locations

Laxey is a coastal village on the east side of the Isle of Man, renowned for its heritage and the Great Laxey Wheel, the world's largest surviving operational waterwheel measuring 72 feet 6 inches in diameter and constructed in 1854 to drain local lead and mines. The wheel, also known as Lady Isabella, pumped up to 250 gallons of water per minute during its active period until mining ceased in 1929, and it remains a key tourist attraction today. The village's population stood at 1,656 in the 2021 . Like many locations named Lax or , its name originates from the term lax-á, meaning " river," reflecting the historical abundance of salmon in its waters. In , Lax Lake is a 295-acre in Lake County, with a maximum depth of 35 feet, popular among anglers for species such as , , , and . Located near Silver Bay in the Sawtooth Mountains, approximately 10 minutes from , the lake supports recreational activities including , canoeing, , and resorts with lakeside cabins and RV sites. Laxå serves as the seat of Laxå Municipality in Örebro County, central Sweden, an area characterized by advanced manufacturing industries, including Scania's production of specialized cabs and components for . The , which includes ironworks history dating back 300 years, has a population of approximately 5,423 (as of December 2024) and features a travel hub with connections to major cities like and . In , is a small municipality in the district of , situated in the upper Rhone Valley at an elevation of about 1,050 meters, connecting the region to higher alpine areas and known for its quiet rural setting amid mountainous terrain. With around 339 residents (as of ), it offers access to hiking trails and river paths in the surrounding valley, part of a historically linked to salmon-bearing waters through linguistic influences on place names.

Sports and culture

Lacrosse

"Lax" is an informal abbreviation for , a that originated from traditional Native American games known as stickball or baggataway, played as early as the by such as the in regions now encompassing parts of , , and . The term "lax" emerged as in the United States during the 1950s, derived from "" with the "x" punning on "crosse," the word for the stick used in the game. These Indigenous games often involved large teams—sometimes hundreds of players—covering vast fields and serving purposes beyond recreation, including settling disputes, healing the sick, or spiritual rituals. The modern version of lacrosse was codified in 1867 by Canadian dentist Dr. William George Beers, who established the Montreal Lacrosse Club in 1856 and finalized a uniform set of rules to standardize the sport, including field dimensions, player numbers, and game duration. Beers' efforts helped transform the unstructured game into an organized , promoting it across and eventually internationally. Lacrosse has two primary variants: , played outdoors on a 110-by-60-yard field with 10 players per team, and , an indoor version on a rink approximately 200 feet by 85 feet with 6 players per side, which emphasizes faster play and more physical contact due to the enclosed space. In , players use a stick called a crosse—featuring a netted pocket at one end—to catch, carry, pass, and shoot a solid rubber ball into the opponent's goal. goals measure 6 feet by 6 feet, while goals are 4 feet by 4 feet, both framed with a net. Basic rules include face-offs to start play, requirements to keep the ball in the offensive zone after crossing the midline, and penalties for infractions like slashing or , with men's versions permitting body checks and stick checks for physicality, while women's rules emphasize non-contact play with restrictions on checking. The is governed internationally by , which sets standardized rules for men's, women's, and adaptive formats across its disciplines. Lacrosse's popularity has expanded globally, with recognizing 95 member nations as of 2025, reflecting growth from traditional strongholds in to emerging programs in , , and . In the United States, collegiate lacrosse experienced significant growth in the , driven by increased participation and viewership; NCAA men's and women's programs saw participation rise by over 40% for high school feeders during this period. This surge has fostered an associated centered on the sport's competitive and social elements.

Lax bro subculture

The lax bro subculture refers to a stereotypical of affluent, athletic young men, often college-aged, who are deeply involved in and embody a laid-back, party-oriented . The term "lax bro," short for "lacrosse bro," emerged in the late and gained prominence in the early , influenced by the sport's growing popularity on East Coast college campuses and amplified by events like the 2006 scandal, which highlighted perceptions of privilege and excess within the player community. This is loosely defined but centers on a "chill" attitude that combines athletic dedication with social camaraderie, often centered around prep schools and institutions. Key characteristics of the lax bro include distinctive apparel such as pinnies worn as casual tops, pastel-colored shorts, visors or off-balance hats, mid-calf socks, and Oakley sunglasses, paired with a "bro flow" —long, flowing hair tied back during games. The lifestyle emphasizes frequent socializing, with activities like daytime light beer consumption (e.g., ), , and "bro-ing out" in group settings, fostering a sense of belonging among participants but often stereotyped as carefree to the point of . These traits are particularly associated with , upper-middle-class from regions like and , where has deep roots in elite educational environments. Socially, the lax bro subculture has faced critiques for perpetuating exclusivity and , creating barriers for lower-income and minority participants by reinforcing an image of entitlement and obnoxious behavior, such as self-centered partying that alienates others. However, it also builds strong community ties through shared rituals and has positively contributed to lacrosse's visibility, drawing in new players via relatable, fun portrayals in media like the comedic videos of Con Bro Chill and satirical depictions in shows such as . By the mid-2010s, defenses of the subculture emphasized its exaggeration, with players highlighting the sport's demands for hard work and teamwork over stereotypes. As of 2025, the subculture has evolved amid broader inclusivity efforts in , with organizations like establishing an Inclusion Advisory Council in May 2025 to promote and equitable access, alongside a 149% growth in non-white NCAA athletes over the past decade. These initiatives, including policies and support for women's and diverse communities, have helped reduce the dominance of the traditional lax bro image, shifting focus toward a more representative player base that includes , Latinx, Black, and Indigenous participants. This progression addresses past critiques of homogeneity, enhancing the sport's appeal beyond its East Coast elite origins.

Media and entertainment

Television and film

The television series (2004–2005) is an drama created by Nick Thiel that aired on , centering on the high-stakes operations and personal dramas of staff at (). Starring as airport operations director Roger De Souza and as general manager Michelle Corazon, the show explores themes of , interpersonal conflicts, and the relentless pace of aviation life, with 11 episodes broadcast from September 13, 2004, to May 16, 2005, before cancellation due to declining ratings. The series drew inspiration from the real-world dynamics of one of the world's busiest airports, highlighting behind-the-scenes tensions among ground crew, security personnel, and executives. In the ABC series Lost, the season 6 premiere episodes titled "LA. X, Parts 1 and 2" (aired February 2, 2010) prominently feature as a key setting in the show's flash-sideways narrative timeline. Written by and , these episodes depict passengers from Oceanic Flight 815 arriving safely at , intertwining airport arrivals with elements of , character reunions, and alternate realities, serving as a pivotal to explore unresolved mysteries from prior seasons. The sequences underscore the airport's role as a of fate and , with scenes capturing the of terminals and claims to the island's . Several films have incorporated LAX as a backdrop for dramatic tension, including Heat (1995), directed by Michael Mann, where pivotal action sequences unfold in the airport's parking structure and terminals during a high-profile heist chase involving Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Similarly, Die Hard (1988), directed by John McTiernan, opens with scenes at LAX depicting international arrivals and urban transit, establishing the Los Angeles setting for Bruce Willis's action-hero narrative. Aviation-themed documentaries, such as the 1963 promotional short #1 World Way: The Story of Los Angeles International Airport, provide historical insights into LAX's operations, showcasing jet-age innovations and daily logistics through archival footage of flights and facilities. Common motifs in these television and film portrayals of LAX include the chaos of air travel disruptions, heightened security protocols, and intimate human stories amid the impersonal scale of global transit hubs, often using the airport to symbolize transitions, delays, and unexpected encounters. These depictions frequently amplify real-life pressures like weather delays and mechanical issues to heighten narrative stakes, reflecting LAX's status as a of mobility.

Music and literature

In music, "LAX" frequently appears as a title or motif symbolizing and its cultural vibrancy, often evoking themes of , street life, and identity. The Game's 2008 album LAX, released through , exemplifies this, blending gritty narratives of Compton upbringing with luxurious LA imagery across tracks like "Game's Pain" featuring , which debuted at No. 1 on the and certified platinum for its portrayal of urban resilience tied to the city's as a gateway. Similarly, Xzibit's 2000 track "LAX" from the album uses the acronym to frame aggressive rap, depicting relentless pursuit amid LA's fast-paced environment, contributing to the album's and cultural resonance in early . Snoop Dogg's 2006 song "LAX," from , further reinforces this trope with laid-back verses on flying in and out of , peaking at No. 58 on the chart and highlighting the 's role in celebrity and hustle culture. More recently, Post Malone's 2023 track "LAX" from the album Austin references the in the context of LA lifestyle and , adding to the motif in contemporary as of 2025. Beyond , "Lax" features in international rock acts, such as the Greek band (Πυξ Λαξ), formed in 1989 and prominent through the 1990s, delivering satirical lyrics on social issues in albums like Ουρανοκατέβατοι (1990), which sold over 100,000 copies and earned platinum status in for its raw, energetic sound. More recently, indie artist Lawrence Rothman's 2024 track "LAX" (featured in 2025 playlists) incorporates subtle nods to "lax" from sports and casual , blending electronic elements with introspective lyrics on transient lifestyles, aligning with Rothman's exploration of identity in releases under The Windish Agency. In literature, "lax" historically denotes salmon in Scottish dialect, rooted in Old English leax and appearing in 19th-century texts to evoke rural Highland life and fishing traditions. John Jamieson's An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language (1880 edition) documents "lax" as a common term for the fish, including phrases like "a myddle lax" for a medium-sized salmon, reflecting its use in vernacular prose and poetry to symbolize abundance or seasonal labor in works by authors like Walter Scott, whose novels often incorporated Scots dialect for authenticity. This motif persists in modern literary criticism, where "lax" critiques loose or permissive narrative structures, as in John Simon's 1989 New York Times review of free imagination in fiction, arguing that such "lax habits" allow expansive creativity but risk undisciplined storytelling in contemporary novels.

Science, mathematics, and linguistics

Lax vowels

Lax vowels are vowel sounds articulated with relatively relaxed musculature in the vocal tract, leading to shorter , greater centralization, and less peripheral positioning compared to tense vowels. This relaxation results in a more neutral or lowered height for a given vowel quality, distinguishing lax vowels acoustically and articulatorily from their tense counterparts. In , lax vowels play a crucial role in creating phonemic contrasts, particularly in distinguishing minimal pairs. For instance, the lax high /ɪ/ in bit contrasts with the tense /iː/ in , where the lax variant features a slightly lower and more centralized position and reduced . Similarly, the low front lax /æ/ in cat opposes the tense /eɪ/ in cake, highlighting how lax vowels typically occur in closed syllables and cannot end stressed open syllables, a key distributional rule in . These contrasts underscore the functional importance of in English systems. The lax vowel category extends across languages, with notable examples in Vietnamese, where the orthographic symbol "ă" denotes a short, lax near-open central vowel /ă/, contrasting with the tense /a/. This distinction mirrors English tense-lax pairs but aligns more closely with duration-based contrasts in Vietnamese phonology. For second-language acquisition, such differences pose challenges for speakers of languages like Vietnamese, who may substitute English lax vowels (e.g., /ɪ/ or /ʊ/) with tense equivalents due to native phonological patterns lacking identical oppositions, leading to reduced intelligibility in accented English. Theoretically, the tense-lax distinction in vowels has roots in 19th-century , pioneered by in his 1867 work , where he classified vowels as "wide" (tense, with greater aperture and tension) versus "narrow" (lax, with reduced tension). This framework influenced subsequent vowel description and is visualized on standard vowel charts, such as the International Phonetic Association's trapezoid, where lax vowels occupy positions reflecting their relaxed articulation relative to tense ones.

Lax pair

In mathematics, a Lax pair is a pair of time-dependent linear operators L and A, acting on a fixed , that satisfy the Lax equation \frac{dL}{dt} = [L, A], where [L, A] = LA - AL denotes the ; this formulation ensures that the spectrum of L is preserved under the evolution, providing a criterion for the integrability of associated nonlinear evolution equations. The concept was introduced by in 1968 as a general linking nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) to linear operators whose eigenvalues yield conserved quantities. A key aspect of Lax pairs is their equivalence to a zero-curvature representation, where the pair (U, V) satisfies the compatibility condition \partial_t U - \partial_x V + [U, V] = 0, arising from the overdetermined \psi_t = U \psi and \psi_x = V \psi; this structure facilitates the identification of infinite families of conserved quantities for integrable systems. Lax pairs are central to soliton theory, notably for the Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation u_t + 6uu_x + u_{xxx} = 0, where the pair enables the construction of multi- solutions through isospectral deformations. Applications of Lax pairs extend to the , a method that linearizes nonlinear PDEs by treating them as problems, thereby solving initial-value problems for equations like the . They also connect to via quantized versions of classical integrable systems, such as the quantum Toda lattice, and to broader integrable hierarchies in . Named after , the framework has seen extensions in algebraic geometry through 2025 research, including categorical interpretations that derive nonlinear equations from higher coherence conditions on fiber bundles.

Laxative

Laxatives are pharmacological agents that promote bowel movements by loosening stools or stimulating intestinal evacuation, deriving from the Latin "laxare," meaning to loosen. They are commonly used to alleviate and prepare the bowel for medical procedures. Major types include bulk-forming laxatives, which absorb water to increase stool bulk (e.g., in ); osmotic laxatives, which draw water into the colon (e.g., in MiraLAX or ); stimulant laxatives, which trigger intestinal muscle contractions (e.g., senna in Senokot or in Dulcolax); and stool softeners, which allow water and fats to penetrate the stool (e.g., in Colace). Medically, laxatives treat acute and chronic , affecting up to 12% of the U.S. population, as well as opioid-induced and with . They have been available over-the-counter since the , with early commercial products like Beecham's Pills introduced in 1842 and Milk of patented in 1873. However, guidelines warn against , where the colon loses motility from overuse, recommending consultation for prolonged use beyond a week. Historically, laxatives trace to ancient remedies, with the Egyptian (c. 1550 BCE) describing senna and for digestive relief, used by and Romans for similar purposes. By , modern pharmaceuticals proliferated during a "golden age" of purgatives, with hundreds of brands competing. As of 2025, guidelines from organizations like the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons emphasize a fiber-first approach, recommending 22–34 grams of daily , increased , and before resorting to laxatives. Common side effects include , abdominal cramps, gas, , and , particularly with osmotic and types. is a key risk, manifesting as , , and reduced output, exacerbated by inadequate fluid intake; long-term use without medical supervision can lead to imbalances and . laxatives may cause colonic damage with abuse, and all types are contraindicated in cases of intestinal obstruction or severe renal impairment.

People

Peter Lax

Peter David Lax (May 1, 1926 – May 16, 2025) was a Hungarian-born American mathematician renowned for his foundational contributions to partial differential equations (PDEs), , and . Born in , , Lax immigrated to the in 1941 at age 15 with his parents, fleeing rising antisemitic persecution in Axis-aligned . He settled in , where he quickly adapted to American education, earning an AB in 1947 and a PhD in 1949 from under the supervision of Kurt O. Friedrichs. Early in his career, Lax worked at the Scientific Laboratory in 1945–1946 and 1950, contributing to wartime and postwar computational efforts. Lax joined the at in 1951, becoming a full professor in 1958 and serving as from 1972 to 1980. During this period, he also directed the Atomic Energy Commission's Computing and Center at NYU. His career spanned over seven decades, during which he authored more than 200 publications, including seminal books on PDEs and scattering theory. Key among his contributions was the development, with Robert D. Richtmyer, of the Lax-Wendroff method in 1960, a scheme for approximating solutions to PDEs that remains a cornerstone of numerical simulations for . Lax also advanced scattering theory in collaboration with Ralph Phillips and explored geometric optics for wave propagation singularities. He briefly contributed to integrable systems through the invention of the Lax pair, a technique for nonlinear equations. Lax's work profoundly influenced , bridging pure theory with practical applications in fields like and weather prediction. He received the in 2005 for his groundbreaking contributions to the theory and application of PDEs and numerical solutions, cementing his status as one of the most versatile mathematicians of his generation. Other honors included the in 1986 and the in 1987. As of 2025, Lax's numerical methods, such as the Lax equivalence theorem, continue to underpin scientific computing, including simulations in for solving complex PDEs in physics-informed models. Lax passed away at his home in at age 99, leaving a legacy that shaped modern .

Other notable individuals

Eric Lax (born 1944) is an American author and known for his works on comedy, modern medicine, and filmmaker . His 1991 biography Woody Allen: A Biography provides an in-depth look at Allen's career, drawing from extensive interviews and observations of the director's creative process. Lax also authored On Being Funny: Woody Allen and Comedy in 1975, exploring the mechanics of humor through Allen's lens, and later books like Life and Death on 10 West (1997), which examines in a setting. His writing has appeared in outlets such as and , reflecting a career blending personal memoir and cultural analysis.