ease
1. ease \'e-z\ n [ME ese, fr. OF aise convenience, comfort, fr. L
adjacent-, (Xadjacens neighborhood, fr. neut. of prp. of adjace-re to lie
near 1: the state of being comfortable : as 1a: freedom from pain or
discomfort 1b: freedom from care 1c: freedom from labor or difficulty
1d: freedom from embarrassment or constraint : NATURALNESS 2: relief from
discomfort or obligation 3: FACILITY, EFFORTLESSNESS of a man in military
ranks 1: standing silently with the right foot in place of a man marching
2: silent but relaxed from attention and free to break step - at ease
2. ease vt 1: to free from something that pains, disquiets, or burdens 2:
to make less painful : ALLEVIATE {~ his suffering} 3a: to lessen the
pressure or tension of esp. by slackening, lifting, or s hifting 3b: to
moderate or reduce esp. in amount or intensity 4: to make less difficult
{~ credit} 5a: to put the helm of (a ship) alee 5b: to let (a helm or
rudder) come back a little after having been put har d over 1: to give
freedom or relief 2: to move or pass with freedom 3: MODERATE, SLACKEN