• Ease

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /iːz/
    • Rhymes: -iːz
    • Homophones: ees, 'e's

    Origin

    From Middle English ese, eise ("ease"), from Anglo-Norman ese ("ease"), Old French aise, eise ("convenience, leisure, comfort"), of unknown origin. Earliest meaning was that of "empty space, elbow-room, opportunity". Conflicting forms in Romance point to an external, non-Latin origin

    The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia, "ease".

    . Probably from a or source. Compare Old English ēaþe ("easy"), Gothic 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐌹 (azēti, "ease, pleasure"), Gothic 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐍃 (azēts, "easy"), Breton eaz, ez ("easy"), Irish adhais ("easy, leisure"). See also eath.

    Full definition of ease

    Noun

    ease

    (uncountable)
    1. The state of being comfortable or free from stress.She enjoyed the ease of living in a house where the servants did all the work.
    2. Freedom from pain, worry, agitation, etc.''His mind was at ease when he received his pension.
    3. Freedom from effort, difficulty or hardship.He passed all the exams with ease.
      • 2011, November 11, Rory Houston, Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland, Walters tried a long range shot in the third minute as he opened the game sharply, linking well with Robbie Keane, but goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko gathered the ball with ease.
    4. Dexterity or facility.He played the organ with ease.
    5. Affluence and freedom from financial problems.After winning the jackpot, she lived a life of luxurious ease.
    6. Relaxation, rest and leisure.We took our ease on the patio.
    7. (clothing) Additional space to allow movement within a garment.to add ease to a waist measurement

    Synonyms

    Derived terms

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc.He eased his conscience by confessing.
      • 2012, John Branch, Snow Fall : The Avalanche at Tunnel CreekElyse Saugstad, a professional skier, wore a backpack equipped with an air bag, a relatively new and expensive part of the arsenal that backcountry users increasingly carry to ease their minds and increase survival odds in case of an avalanche.
    2. (transitive) To alleviate, assuage or lessen (pain).''He loosened his shoe to ease the pain.
    3. (transitive) To give respite to (someone).The provision of extra staff eased their workload.
    4. (transitive) To loosen or slacken the tension on (something).We eased the rope, then lowered the sail.
    5. (transitive) To reduce the difficulty of (something).We had to ease the entry requirements.
    6. (transitive) To move (something) slowly and carefully.He eased the cork from the bottle.
    7. (intransitive) To lessen in severity.The pain eased overnight.
    8. (intransitive) To proceed with little effort.The car eased onto the motorway.

    Synonyms

    © Wiktionary
    • © 2013 - 2023 All Rights Reserved