ease
3 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of EASE
[noncount]
1
:
freedom from pain or trouble
:
comfort of body or mind
2
:
lack of difficulty
-
The program is known for its ease of use. [=it is easy to use]
-
I was able to do it with (surprising) ease. [=easily]
-
These features can be modified with the greatest of ease. [=very easily]
3
:
a relaxed and informal way of behaving
-
He delighted people with his charm and ease of manner. [=his relaxed and easy manner]
at ease
1
also
at your ease
:
in a relaxed and comfortable state
—
see also ill at ease
-
Her relaxed manner at the meeting put/set everyone at (their) ease.
-
They no longer felt at ease [=comfortable] with each other.
-
You can set/put your mind at ease. [=you can relax and stop worrying]
2
:
standing silently with the feet apart and one or both hands behind the body
— often used as a military command
—
compare at attention at attention
-
The troops stood at ease.
take your ease
:
to rest or relax
-
I found him taking his ease on the front porch.
2
ease
/ˈiːz/
verb
eases;
eased;
easing
2
ease
/ˈiːz/
verb
eases;
eased;
easing
Britannica Dictionary definition of EASE
1
[+ object]
:
to free (someone or something) from trouble or worry
-
trying to ease my troubled mind
2
[+ object]
:
to make (something) less painful
-
We were unable to ease [=alleviate] their suffering.
3
a
[+ object]
:
to make (tension, a problem, etc.) less severe or troubling
-
The diplomats failed to ease tensions between the two nations.
-
Authorities are looking for ways to ease prison overcrowding.
-
The government is expected to ease travel restrictions.
b
[no object]
:
to become less severe or troubling
-
Tensions have eased [=moderated] in recent weeks.
4
always followed by an adverb or preposition
a
[+ object]
:
to move (someone or something) gently or carefully
-
He eased the car into the parking space.
-
She eased herself into the driver's seat.
-
They eased the heavy block into position.
b
[no object]
:
to move or pass slowly or easily
-
The car eased out into traffic.
-
She wants to ease into her new job slowly.
ease off
[phrasal verb] or ease up
:
to become less severe
-
The slope gradually eased off.
-
The pressure should ease up soon.
ease up on
[phrasal verb]
1
a
ease up on (someone)
:
to treat (someone) in a less harsh or demanding way
-
The students might respond better if the teacher eased up on them a little.
b
ease up on (something)
:
to apply less pressure to (something)
-
ease up on the accelerator
2
ease up on (something)
:
to do or use less of (something)
-
My doctor told me I should ease up on fatty foods.
