Elfeszítés

Elfeszítés is a Hungarian noun describing the act or process of releasing or reducing tension or strain from a physical object, a component in a system, or, more broadly, from a tense situation or emotional state. The term can be used in literal contexts—such as loosening a rope, removing a clamp, or relieving residual stress in a material—as well as in figurative language about calming nerves or decreasing anxiety.

Etymology: The word is formed from el- (a prefix indicating reversal or removal) and feszítés (tension, strain). The prefix shifts the meaning from “tension” to the act of removing it, making elfeszítés roughly “release of tension.”

Technical usage: In engineering or carpentry, elfeszítés may refer to actions that lower existing tension, for example loosening fasteners, relaxing bound components, or preparing parts after assembly. In materials science, more precise terms such as feszültségoldás (stress relief) or relaxation are often preferred in technical standards and literature. In everyday language, elfeszítés commonly denotes the emotional or social relief of strain.

Usage notes: The term is versatile and appears across disciplines, but its exact nuance depends on context. In formal technical writing, more specific terms are typically used, while in colloquial language elfeszítés conveys a general sense of easing or letting go of tension.

See also: feszítés, oldás, ellazítás, stressz.