ease

ease / ēz/ • n. absence of difficulty or effort: he gave up tobacco and alcohol with ease. ∎  absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise: I was always vexed by her self-contained ease. ∎  freedom from worries or problems, esp. about one's material situation: a life of wealth and ease. • v. 1. [tr.] make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe: a huge road-building program to ease congestion. ∎  [intr.] become less serious or severe: the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours. ∎  [intr.] (ease up) relax one's efforts; do something with more moderation: I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you. ∎  make (something) happen more easily; facilitate. ∎  [intr.] Finance (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount: these shares should be bought and tucked away for when interest rates ease [as n.] (easing) a slight easing of inflation. 2. [intr.] move carefully, gradually, or gently: I eased down the slope with care [tr.] the pilot eased the throttle back. ∎  [tr.] (ease someone out) gradually exclude someone from a post or place, esp. by devious or subtle maneuvers: after the scandal he was eased out of his job. PHRASES: at (one's) ease free from worry, awkwardness, or problems; relaxed: she was never quite at ease with Phil. ∎  (at ease) Mil. in a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command). ease someone's mind alleviate someone's anxiety.