ease

I. 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 • easeful adjective • easefully adverb II. verb (eased; easing) 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

>