defer, relax

緩 is composed of the radical 糸 (silk, thread) and 爰 (pull, draw). 糸 refers to silk thread, also representing a rope, while 爰 is a pictograph depicting two hands pulling a rope in opposite directions, implying traction. When a rope is pulled by two hands, it becomes longer and looser, so 緩 carries the meaning of prolongation or relaxation.