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