- Ease
- Ease Ease ([=e]z), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Eased} ([=e]zd);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Easing}.] [OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See
{Ease}, n.]
1. To free from anything 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.
[1913 Webster]
Eased [from] the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate. [1913 Webster]
My couch shall ease my complaint. --Job vii. 13. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
{To ease off}, {To ease away} (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually.
{To ease a ship} (Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled.
{To ease the helm} (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Syn: To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
