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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Ease

Ease, n.

noun

n. [Fr. aise, Pr. ais, aise, O. It. asio, N. It. agio; a. Fr. aisé, Pr. ais; O. Fr. easez, easy; A-S. eadh, ready, easy, O. Sax. ōdhi, ōthi, easy, O. H. Ger. ōdi, id., Icel. audh, easily, Goth. azets, easy, azeti, ease, root azi. See EATH.] Freedom from pain, disturbance, trouble, toil, and the like. (a.) Absence of distress, exertion, annoyance, &c.; relief from labor; rest; quiet; leisurely indolence or inactivity;—said of the body; as, to take ease. “Refreshment after toil, ease after pain.” Milton.

(b.) Absence of any thing that ruffles, discomposes, or frets; tranquillity; peace;—said of the mind.

“His soul shall dwell at ease.” Psalm xxv. 13.

(c.) Freedom from constraint, formality, stiffness, hardness, and the like;—said of manner, style, and the like; as, ease of style, of behavior; to write with ease.

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance. Pope.

At ease, in a condition of ease; free from pain, trouble, or constraint.

Synonyms—Rest; quiet; repose; tranquillity; facility; readiness; lightness.

Ēase, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. EASED; p. pr. & vb. n. EASING.]

Sense 1. To free from any thing that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to;—often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind. “My heart much eased.” Milton.

Sing, and I'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. Dryden.

Sense 2. To render less painful, disgusting, or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate; to allay.

Ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father. 2 Chron. x. 4.

Sense 3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery.

To ease off, or ease away (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually.—To ease a ship (Naut.), to put the helm hard-a-lee, or regulate the sail, to prevent her pitching when close-hauled.

Synonyms—To relieve; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify.