i:z n. & v. --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. øat 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.). øøeaser n. [ME f. AF
ese, OF eise, ult. f. L adjacens ADJACENT]
