—n.
1 absence of difficulty; facility, effortlessness (did it with ease).
2 a freedom or relief from pain, anxiety, or trouble. b freedom from embarrassment or awkwardness. c freedom or relief from constraint or formality.
—v.
1 tr. relieve from pain or anxiety etc. (often foll. by of : eased my mind; eased me of the burden).
2 intr. (often foll. by off, up) a become less painful or burdensome. b relax; begin to take it easy. c slow down; moderate one's behaviour, habits, etc.
3 tr. joc. rob or extract money etc. from (let me ease you of your loose change).
4 intr. Meteorol. become less severe (the wind will ease tonight).
5 a tr. relax; slacken; make a less tight fit. b tr. & intr. (foll. by through, into, etc.) move or be moved carefully into place (eased it into the hole).
6 intr. (often foll. by off) Stock Exch. (of shares etc.) descend in price or value.
Phrases and idioms:
at ease
1 free from anxiety or constraint.
2 Mil. a in a relaxed attitude, with the feet apart. b the order to stand in this way. at one's ease free from embarrassment, awkwardness, or undue formality. ease away (or down or off) Naut. slacken (a rope, sail, etc.).
Derivatives:
easer n.
Etymology: ME f. AF ese, OF eise, ult. f. L adjacens ADJACENT
Useful english dictionary. 2012.