EASE


Meaning of EASE in English

I. ˈēz noun

Etymology: Middle English ese, from Anglo-French eise, aise convenience, comfort, ultimately from Latin adjacent-, adjacens neighboring — more at adjacent

Date: 13th century

1. : the state of being comfortable: as

a. : freedom from pain or discomfort

b. : freedom from care

c. : freedom from labor or difficulty

d. : freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness

known for his charm and ease of manner

e. : an easy fit

2. : relief from discomfort or obligation

3. : facility , effortlessness

did it with ease

4. : an act of easing or a state of being eased

• ease·ful -fəl adjective

• ease·ful·ly -fə-lē adverb

- at ease

II. verb

( eased ; eas·ing )

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

1. : to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens

trying to ease her of her worries

2. : to make less painful : alleviate

ease his suffering

3.

a. : to lessen the pressure or tension of especially by slackening, lifting, or shifting

ease a spring

b. : to maneuver gently or carefully

eased himself into the chair

c. : to moderate or reduce especially in amount or intensity

ease a flow

4. : to make less difficult

ease credit

5.

a. : to put the helm of (a ship) alee

b. : to let (a helm or rudder) come back a little after having been put hard over

intransitive verb

1. : to give freedom or relief

2. : to move or pass slowly or easily — often used with a directional word (as over or up )

the limo eased up in front of the house

3.

a. : to become less intense, vigorous, or engaged : become moderate — usually used with up or off

told her staff to ease up a little

expected the storm to ease off

ease up on fatty foods

b. : to apply less pressure — usually used with up or off

ease up on the accelerator

c. : to act in a less harsh manner — usually used with up or off

decided to ease off on enforcement

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.