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单词 ease
释义

easen.

Brit. /iːz/, U.S. /iz/
Forms: Middle English eaise, ays, esse, (Middle English hess, hayse), Middle English eise, ais, Middle English–1500s es(e, Middle English ess, eyss, Middle English eyse, ayse, Middle English aiese, ( hesse), 1500s eas, (Scottish) eais, eis, Middle English– ease.
Etymology: < Old French eise, aise (modern aise) feminine, cognate with Provençal ais, Italian agio (formerly also asio), Portuguese azo masculine; late Latin type *asia, *asium, of uncertain origin. The earliest senses of French aise appear to be: 1. elbow room (‘espace libre aux côtés de quelqu'un’, A. Darmesteter, from Hebrew-French gloss 11th cent.); 2. opportunity. It has been suggested by Bugge that *asia , *asium may be < āsa , a recorded vulgar form of Latin ansa handle, used figuratively in sense ‘opportunity, occasion’. With reference to the sense ‘elbow room’ it is remarked that ansātus ‘furnished with handles’ is used in Latin for ‘having the arms akimbo’. This is not very satisfactory, but it does not appear that any equally plausible alternative has yet been proposed. Connection with eath adj. and adv. is impossible.
†I. Facility to act.
1. Opportunity, means or ability to do something (cf. easy adj. 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > [noun] > opportunity
roomeOE
ease?c1225
leisure1303
toom1390
respite1443
openc1485
commodity1525
occasion1526
ope1611
conveniency1645
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 213 Ȝef þer is eise to fulle þe dede.
c1230 Hali Meid. 17 Man seið þat eise makeð þeof.
a1500 Life St. Katherine (Halliwell 1848) 2 The riche come..and broghte with them ryches moche, And the pore come also And after there ese broght tho.
II. Comfort, absence of pain or trouble.
2.
a. Comfort, convenience; formerly also, advantage, profit, and in stronger sense, pleasure, enjoyment. to take one's ease: to make oneself comfortable. †to do (a person) ease: to give pleasure or assistance to. †to be (a person's) ease: to be pleasing, convenient, advantageous.
ΚΠ
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 61 Gruccheð ȝef ha naueð nawt oðer mete oðer drunch efter hire eise?
c1230 Hali Meid. 28 I-se swote eise wiðute swuch trubuil.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 22773 Werldis worschip..siluer and gold and esse [F. ese, C. es, Edinb. ais] of lijf.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 35 The woundes of his malady They [i.e. the hounds] licken for to done him ese.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. xlvi. 1197 To hem þat lyueþ delicatliche and in ese and reste.
a1400 Cato's Distichs (Fairf.) l. 199 in R. Morris Cursor Mundi (1878) III. App. iv. 1672 Quen þou art in gode ese þen þink on mis-ese.
c1400 Rom. Rose 7500 We wolden, if it were your ese..A short sermon unto you seyne.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) lxx. 386 I wil neþer selle it..for the aiese that it dothe me.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 362 Bot mycht nane eys let hyr to think On ye king yat sa sar wes stad.
1503–4 Act 19 Hen. VII xxviii. Preamb. His Highnes is not mynded for the eas of his subgiectes..of longe tyme to calle..a newe parliament.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccxcvii. 686 It was nat his ease to come to Tourney as at that tyme.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 653 He levis weill that levis into eis.
a1555 H. Latimer Wks. (1845) II. 479 Latimer:—‘Good master Prolocutor, do not exact that of me which is not in me.’ Prolocutor:—‘Take your ease.’ Latimer:—‘I thank you, sir, I am well.’
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 112 Any good thing..That may to thee doe ease, and grace to mee. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 184 The ease, and benefit the Subjects may enjoy.
1780 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting (ed. 2) IV. vi. 110 The general could not live in it to his ease.
1825 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. 4 The portion which came..to Mrs. Jefferson..doubled the ease of our circumstances.
1841–4 R. W. Emerson Manners in Wks. (1906) I. 205 The popular notion [of a gentleman] certainly adds a condition of ease and fortune.
1857 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 7 June in Eng. Notebks. (1997) II. vi. 256 The occasional ease of rustic seats.
†b. concrete. A convenience, gratification, luxury.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [noun] > a convenience
ease1393
readiness1523
convenience1609
accommodation1612
conveniency1638
modern convenience1859
amenity1913
mod con1934
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > material comfort(s)
ease1393
creature1540
creature comforts1641
comfortable1650
comfort1659
convenience1673
conveniency1712
home comfort1797
comforter1837
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 38 Idelnesse..secheth eses many folde.
1483 W. Caxton tr. A. Chartier Curial sig. iijv Noman preyseth ynough the ayses that he hath in hys pryuate and propre hous.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. CCiii She can cause her prelate to dispence with her to haue snche pleasures and eases.
1629 J. Parkinson Paradisi in Sole (1656) 5 A Fountain in the midst..to serve as an ease to water the nearest parts thereunto.
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1957) III. 275 Vriah..refused to take the eases of his owne house.
3. Absence of pain or discomfort; freedom from annoyance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [noun]
lissOE
carelessnessc1000
restOE
peacea1225
ease?c1225
bielda1300
quietc1330
heartseasea1393
suretya1413
securitya1425
secureness1550
serenity1599
assecurance1616
euthymy1623
sereneness1628
levitya1631
repose1652
untroublednessa1660
serenitude1672
serene1744
securance1849
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [noun] > absence of pain or discomfort
ease?c1225
indolency1603
indolence1656
easiness1704
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 264 Nis he achanh cnicht þe secheð reste inþefecht & eise inþeplace.
a1300 Havelok 59 Þanne was engelond at hayse.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 55 I wish you such contentment of minde, and ease of bodie.
1657 S. Purchas Theatre Flying-insects 276 There were more ease in a nest of Hornets, then under this one torture.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 80. ⁋1 They now no longer enjoyed the Ease of Mind and pleasing Indolence in which they were formerly happy.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 85. ⁋4 Ease, a neutral state between pain & pleasure.
1792 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 1 The horrid scenes..hardly leave one ease enough of heart or clearness of head to put down any thing..on paper to you.
1863 ‘G. Eliot’ Romola II. xiv. 161 He wanted a little ease..after the agitation and exertions of the day.
4.
a. Absence of painful effort; freedom from the burden of toil; leisure; in bad sense, idleness, sloth.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [noun]
restingOE
leisure13..
voidnessa1382
remissionc1384
vacationc1386
ease1393
otiosity1483
holiday1526
otiation1589
idlesse1596
vacance1610
playa1616
vacancya1616
remissness1624
recess1644
otium cum dignitate1729
dolce far niente1814
disoccupation1834
otium1850
non-work1855
kef1864
toillessness1877
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 110 He loveth ese, he loveth rest, So he is nought the worthiest.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 143 Ese, or reste, quies.
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. I. ii. iv. sig. J.vv/1 Ease breedeth vice.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 55 The Sire of Gods and Men..Forbids our Plenty to be bought with Ease . View more context for this quotation
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems li. 15 Ease hath entomb'd princes of old renown and Cities of honour.
b. Facility as opposed to difficulty. Chiefly in phrase, with ease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun]
lightnessa1382
easiness1398
lightsomeness?a1425
facility1531
readiness1579
easea1616
glibnessa1640
smoothness1893
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 30 I should do it With much more ease . View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 126 With ease distinguish'd is the Regal Race. View more context for this quotation
1737 A. Pope Epist. of Horace ii. i. 7 The Mob of Gentlemen who wrote with Ease.
1856 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters III. 267 Another..test of greatness is..the appearance of Ease with which the thing is done.
1868 Ld. Tennyson Lucretius 174 Seeing with how great ease Nature can smile.
c. Indifference, unconcern; absence of hesitation or scruple.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [noun] > emotional detachment
unmovedness1628
inaffectedness1648
unconcernedness1675
unaffectedness1678
unconcern1711
inaccessibleness1769
ease1808
outsideness1883
detachment1888
detachedness1892
1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 2 In your lordship it beholds its patron and introducer; the author, it is matter of ease to me not to know.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. v. viii. 661 Where the Governor-General spoke of pensions with so much ease, he well knew, that in the circumstances..a pension..little or nothing differed from a name.
5. Freedom from constraint; an unconstrained position or attitude; esp. in Military phrase, to stand at ease: see quot.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > drill or training > drill [verb (intransitive)] > stand at ease
to stand at ease1802
1802 C. James New Mil. Dict. Ease..signifies a prescribed relaxation of the frame from the erect and firm position which every well-dressed soldier should assume..To stand at ease is to draw the right foot back about six inches, and to bring the greatest part of the weight of the body upon it.
1830 F. Marryat King's Own III. i. 15 His usual ‘stand at ease’, position.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. ii. 43 Stand at Ease.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. ii. 61 Sit at Ease.
1853 J. H. Stocqueler Mil. Encycl. 268/1 To stand at ease is to be allowed..a certain indulgence with regard to bodily position, with or without arms.
6. Freedom from embarrassment or awkwardness in social behaviour.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [noun] > freedom from awkwardness in style or behaviour
easiness1567
social graces1726
ease1750
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [noun] > agreeable behaviour > affability > easiness of manner
easiness1567
ease1750
unceremoniousness1816
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 157. ⁋8 Enabled me to discourse with ease and volubility.
a1764 R. Lloyd Whim Wears his own mirth with native ease.
1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley iv. 65 Mrs. Wallace envied Mrs. Sydney the ease and kindness with which she conversed.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 469 A certain graceful ease marks him as a man who knows the world.
1863 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. VIII. 91 She..moved about among the dignitaries of the University, with combined authority and ease.
7. Phrases (senses 1 – 6).
a. at ease, at one's ease, †well at ease: in comfort, without anxiety or annoyance, unconstrained, unembarrassed; formerly also, in comfortable circumstances, well-to-do.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > free from trouble, care, or sorrow [phrase]
at easec1330
at (a) quiet1603
in the sun1604
the mind > possession > wealth > rich or wealthy [phrase] > well off
well at easec1330
of substance?a1439
at rack and (at) mangera1500
in good case1560
well to live1568
well and warmc1571
well to pass in the worlda1609
inlaid1699
in easy circumstancesa1704
well to do in the world1805
stouth and routh1816
quids in1919
the world > action or operation > prosperity > in prosperous condition [phrase] > in easy circumstances > in conditions not involving stress or hardship
in the green treeOE
well at easec1330
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) l. 1295 Þai..went hem forþ wele at aise Toward þe king þer he lay.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 21 (MED) Þat lond is wel at ese, As long as men lyueþ at ese [c1410 BL Add. in pese].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 17651 He was gestind ful wele at ais.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13136 All war sett and ete at esse.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xiii. l. 42 Of þat men mys-wonne þei made hem wel at ese.
c1484 J. de Caritate tr. Secreta Secret. (Takamiya) (1977) 191 (MED) Þu seyst me walke vppon my feet, hungry and wery, and þu rydyst wele att ese.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 228 He levys at es that frely levys.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxii. 397 Galashin was not all at his ese, ffor he was yet a-monge the horse feet.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 844/1 Well at ease, bien ayse.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Hosea ii. 7 I will go turne agayne to my first huszbonde, for at yt tyme was I better at ease, then now.
1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Dj Nature hath denied some men, health of body, that thei are neuer wel at ease.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. ccxxxij He felte hym selfe skant well at ease.
1669 A. Marvell Let. 16 Mar. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 83 If..you haue giuen us a rule to walke by our discretion will be more at ease.
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon ii. v. 210 Monied men..amongst whom his Majesty conceiving the Duke of Espernon to be one the most at his ease, etc.
1706 J. Savage tr. R. de Piles Art of Painting 229 By these high Prises Guido found himself, in a little while, very well at ease, and liv'd nobly.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 106. ¶2 I am the more at Ease in Sir Roger's Family, because it consists of sober and staid Persons.
1821 S. Smith Lett. cc An old Aunt has..left me an estate..this puts me a little at my ease.
1825 J. Jennings Observ. Dial. W. Eng. 82 Well-at-ease, hearty, healthy.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §27. 202 We all felt more at ease when a safe footing was secured.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xxiv. 564 He felt much more at his ease in the saddle than afoot.
b. ill (†evil) at ease: uncomfortable, uneasy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being upset or perturbed > [adjective]
reigheOE
drofc1000
druvyOE
restlessOE
worya1225
forstraughtc1386
unquertc1390
unsaughtc1390
ill (evil) at easea1400
unrofula1400
unquietc1400
unrestya1413
unquieted?a1425
unrestful?c1425
unpeaceda1475
out of quieta1500
inquiet?1504
uneasya1513
perturbed1538
unquietous?1545
disquieted?1548
astraught1564
astraughted1565
agitate1567
turmoiled1570
disquiet1587
distroubled1590
weltered1590
disturbed1593
twitcheda1594
troublesome1596
stract1598
uncomposed1601
discomposed1603
incomposed1608
uncouth1660
unserene1664
chagrin1665
agitated1684
perturbated1704
disordered1711
perturbate1741
chagrineda1754
nervish1760
uncomfortable1796
funked1831
untranquillized1831
streaked1833
striped1839
discomfortable1844
streaky1848
bothered1851
funked out1859
bebothered1866
disorderly1871
fantod1883
rattled1885
aflap1887
shook1891
dicked-up1967
torqued1967
weirded out1973
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16119 Mi wijf es sumquat iuel at ess [Fairf. ese].
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 59 She..was of euelle atte ease in this worlde.
1483 Vulgaria abs Terencio (T. Rood & T. Hunte) sig. niv Iij. or .iiij. days ȝitt j was euyll att ese in my hede.
1642 T. Taylor God's Judgem. i. i. xx. 70 He feigned himselfe to be evill at ease.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Miller's Daughter (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 109 You were ill at ease;..Too fearful that you should not please.
III. Relief, alleviation. [Somewhat influenced by the verb.]
8.
a. Relief or mitigation of pain or discomfort; release from an annoyance. Const. from, of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > consolation or relief
lightingOE
leathc1175
comfort?c1225
solacec1290
solacec1290
lithec1300
comfortingc1320
allegeancec1325
swaging1340
froa1350
releasec1350
consolationc1374
legeancec1390
reliefa1393
comfortationa1400
leathinga1400
swagea1400
allegementa1425
alleviation?a1425
recreation?a1425
refrigery?a1425
lighteningc1425
recomfortc1425
mitigation?1435
recomforting1487
recreancea1500
allevation1502
easement1533
solacy1534
ease1542
cheer1549
assuagement1561
refreshing1561
easing1580
recomfortation1585
recomforture1595
assuage1596
allevement1599
mitification1607
allayment1609
solagement1609
levation1656
solacement1721
solation1757
soulagement1777
consolement1797
de-tension1949
de-tensioning1952
tea and sympathy1953
1542–3 Act 34 & 35 Hen. VIII viii. §1 Surgions..mindinge onely their owne lucres, & nothing the profit or ease of the disesed or pacient.
1588 W. Allen Admon. to Nobility & People 17 Sum little ease and release of the intollerable feares and miseries.
1714 J. Purcell Treat. Cholick 103 The Patient breaks much Wind upwards and downwards, and finds Ease thereby.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. v. 91 That positive Enjoyment, which sudden Ease from Pain..affords.
1775 S. Johnson Taxation no Tyranny 61 That a great man may get ease from importunity.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 112 Liberate him, said the King, and give us ease.
b. †to do one's ease: to relieve the bowels. So seat of ease, †house of ease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > defecation > [verb (intransitive)]
dritea1000
to do one's filthheadc1300
shit?c1335
to go to siegec1400
scumbera1425
cack1436
to do one's easementa1438
to ease nature, ease oneselfc1440
skite1449
to do of one's needingsc1475
fen1486
dung1508
spurge1530
to cover his feet1535
lask1540
stool1540
to exonerate nature1542
file1564
fiant1575
cucka1605
wray1620
exonerate1631
excrement1632
to do one's ease1645
sir-reverence1665
excrementizec1670
nest1679
poop1689
move1699
defecate1837
crap1874
mire1918
to make a mess1928
mess1937
to go poo-poo (also poo-poos)1960
potty1972
to do a whoopsie (or whoopsies)1973
pooh1975
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun]
gongOE
privy?c1225
room-housec1275
chamber foreignc1300
wardrobea1325
privy chamberc1325
foreignc1390
siegec1400
stool1410
jakes1432
house of easementa1438
kocayc1440
siege-hole1440
siege-house1440
privy house1463
withdraught1493
draught1530
shield1535
bench-hole1542
common house1542
stool1542
jakes house1547
boggard1552
house of office?1560
purging place1577
little house1579
issue1588
Ajax1596
draught-house1597
private1600
necessary house1612
vault1617
longhouse1622
latrine1623
necessary1633
commonsa1641
gingerbread officea1643
boghouse1644
cloaca1645
passage-house1646
retreat1653
shithouse1659
closet of ease1662
garderobe1680
backside1704
office1727
bog?1731
house of ease1734
cuz-john1735
easing-chair1771
backhouse1800
outhouse1819
netty1825
petty1848
seat of ease1850
closet1869
bathroom1883
crapper1927
lat1927
shouse1941
biffy1942
shitholec1947
toot1965
shitter1967
woodshed1974
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ i. xvii. 35 It happen'd the King was come from doing his Ease.
1734 J. Swift Strephon & Cloe in Beautiful Young Nymph 20 Had you but through a Cranny spy'd On House of Ease your future Bride.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 143 Round-house at the Head. Conveniences or seats of ease for the officers.
c. chapel of ease: see chapel n. 3a. So also (humorously) court of ease, theatre of ease: one provided to relieve the crowding in a larger building.
ΚΠ
1781 R. B. Sheridan Critic i. i Make the stage a court of ease to the old Bailey.
1796 J. Owen Trav. Europe II. 429 It seems a sort of theatre of ease to that called the National.
9. Relief from constraint or pressure; abrogation or alleviation of a burden or obligation; †redress of grievances. †writ of ease: a certificate of discharge from employment; transferred a ‘bill of divorcement’.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > divorce or dissolution > [noun] > bill of divorce
libel of partising1552
writ of ease1576
get1843
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > [noun] > release from duty or obligation
remission?1316
loosingc1357
releasec1390
releasing1395
discharginga1398
defeasance1399
quittancea1400
acquittancec1405
discharge1423
absolution1447
acquittinga1450
quietance1451
excusationc1475
relief1496
acquittal?1538
releasement1548
ease1576
excuse1577
relievement1583
excusal1584
exoneration1640
dispensation1653
absolvement1689
1576 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent 96 Hastings, Douer, Hithe [etc.]..were the first Ports of priuiledge,..although..diuers other places also (for the ease of their charge) be crept in.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1345/2 Thus was justice ministred, and that execution to Gods glorie, & the ease of the common wealths greefe dispatched.
1644 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce (ed. 2) 62 Salomith..sent a writ of ease to..her husband; which, as Josephus there attests, was lawfull onely to men.
1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France i. 36 Having..tryed gentle pleasant remedies, and..found no ease.
1679–1714 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation Mischiefs..might follow, if princes get not..ease from the apostolic see.
1693 W. Robertson Phraseologia Generalis (new ed.) 519 He hath a writ of ease given him; rude donatus est.
†10. concrete (from 8, 9): An act or means of relieving pain or discomfort, of giving relaxation from burdens, an easement, relief. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > [noun] > act, means, or source of consolation or relief
froverOE
comfortc1386
easec1440
sport1440
consolationc1460
recreatoryc1475
balm1540
balsamumc1540
solace1597
unction1604
balsama1616
demulceation1661
demulsion1661
alleviative1672
mitigation1726
salve1736
soother1794
consolement1797
heart-balm1828
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [noun] > making less violent, vigorous, or severe > instance of
slakea1300
easec1440
appease1667
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 143 Ese, or cowmfort, levamen, consolamen.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 285 Eases of griefes he reposeth..in calling from the thought of offense.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. xi. B23 Till then ile sweat and seeke about for eases . View more context for this quotation
1701 W. Paterson Proposals Council of Trade 122 This Ease..of the Industry, would chiefly and principally fall on the Lands by two several ways.
a1718 W. Penn Life in Wks. (1726) I. 129 Dissenters receiv'd a General Ease, and enjoy'd their Meetings peaceably.
1737 W. Whiston tr. Tacitus in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. p. cx That [discovery of springs] was an ease to them [sc. the Israelites suffering thirst].
1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 141 Required by His Majesty from those Colonies to be done in ease of the National Expence.

Compounds

†ease-bred, ease-loving adjs.; ease-and-comfort n. a leg-rest, consisting of two boards fixed in the shape of a T.† ease-room n. Obsolete a comfortable lodging-room; cf. easement n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room generally > [noun] > others
hell1310
summer hall1388
summer parloura1425
paradise1485
fire room1591
garden room1619
ease-room1629
portcullis1631
divan1678
but?1700
sluttery1711
rotunda1737
glass casea1777
dungeon1782
hall of mirrors1789
balcony-chamber1800
showroom1820
mirror room1858
vomitorium1923
mosquito room1925
refuge room1937
quiet room1938
Florida room1968
roomset1980
wet room1982
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > support or rest > [noun] > for legs
leg rest1823
ease-and-comfort1847
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn i. sig. G The ease bred Abbots and the bare foote Friers,..Are all in health.
1629 S. Rutherford Lett. (1863) I. v. 47 In your house there are fair ease-rooms and pleasant lights.
1847 Countess of Blessington Marmaduke Herbert (Tauchn.) I. 126 A bergère in each of the rooms, with abundant pillows to prop up her weak frame, and an ease-and-comfort to each, to support her legs.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 175 Around Hanno gathered all that was ease-loving, all that was shortsighted.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online September 2021).

easev.

Brit. /iːz/, U.S. /iz/
Forms: Middle English eysy, eyse, ( heise), eyss, (Scottish) eiss, eese, ayse(n, Middle English esy(n, Middle English–1500s ese(n, Middle English– ease.
Etymology: Probably originally < Old French aaisier = Italian adagiare , < Latin ad to, at + late Latin *asiu-m ease n.; but virtually < ease n.
1.
a. transitive. To give ease (physically) to; to render more comfortable, relieve from pain, etc. Also with out of and (U.S.) with up.
ΚΠ
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 82 Þo þet byeþ zuo wyse to loky þet body and to eysy and to delyty.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. liii. 946 Yvy..haþ vertu of rypynge, of clensynge, and of esynge.
?a1400 Chester Pl. (1847) ii. 5 This woman..That esead me this hasse.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483) iv. xxxii. 81 Oftimes these armes wil bleden to esen and comforten the hede.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Sam. xvi. 23 So was Saul refreszshed, & eased.
1588 J. Udall State Church of Eng. sig. B2 Though it grieue mee to thinke vppon it, yet it easeth my stomacke to tell it.
1809 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 21 56 He drank it because it ‘broke the wind, and eased’ him.
1847 R. W. Emerson Poems 140 Even the fell Furies are appeased, The good applaud, the lost are eased.
1916 ‘B. Cable’ Action Front 148 There is nothing we can do for him..except morphia again, to ease him out of his pain.
1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean v. 83 The doctor is down there easing up the guys that got the hide burned off 'em.
†b. To refresh with repose or food: to entertain, accommodate hospitably. Also reflexive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (transitive)]
akeleOE
restOE
comfort1303
ease1330
quickc1350
recurea1382
refresha1382
refetec1384
restorec1384
affilea1393
enforcec1400
freshc1405
revigour?a1425
recomfortc1425
recreatec1425
quicken?c1430
revive1442
cheerc1443
refection?c1450
refect1488
unweary1530
freshen1532
corroborate1541
vige?c1550
erect?1555
recollect?1560
repose1562
respite1565
rouse1574
requicken1576
animate1585
enlive1593
revify1598
inanimate1600
insinew1600
to wind up1602
vigorize1603
inspiritc1610
invigour1611
refocillate1611
revigorate1611
renovate1614
spriten1614
repaira1616
activate1624
vigour1636
enliven1644
invigorate1646
rally1650
reinvigorate1652
renerve1652
to freshen up1654
righta1656
re-enlivena1660
recruita1661
enlighten1667
revivify1675
untire1677
reanimate1694
stimulate1759
rebrace1764
refreshen1780
brisken1799
irrigate1823
tonic1825
to fresh up1835
ginger1844
spell1846
recuperate1849
binge1854
tone1859
innerve1880
fiercen1896
to tone up1896
to buck up1909
pep1912
to zip up1927
to perk up1936
to zizz up1944
hep1948
to zing up1948
juice1964
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > refresh or invigorate [verb (reflexive)]
resteOE
ease1330
roa1400
ronea1400
refreshc1405
recomfortc1425
breathea1470
unweary1530
recreate1542
aira1616
recruit1646
refect1646
regale1682
unfatigue1734
renew1783
cheer1784
delassitude1807
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 96 Toward Wynchestre þam dight, his folk forto eyse.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 192 Seke were þer heised, heled þam of wound.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 232 That night had i..mi stede esed of the best.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1336 Theseus..festeth hem and dooth so gret labour To esen hem.
c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 2816 Anazaree..into a feire chambre him ladd, And eased him as a fre prisovn.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Harl.) lxi. 257 His squier soȝte an host, for swiche a worthi knyȝt to be eside ynne.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlii. l. 543 [Se] that..they ben Esed with the beste.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiv. 387 Thai esyt thame, and maid gud cher.
1650 J. Row & J. Row Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) 513 To harbour more souldiers nor conuenientlie they can lodge & ease.
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur vi. 171 Boldly fall on, before their Troops are eas'd.
c. to ease nature, ease oneself: to relieve the bowels.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > defecation > [verb (intransitive)]
dritea1000
to do one's filthheadc1300
shit?c1335
to go to siegec1400
scumbera1425
cack1436
to do one's easementa1438
to ease nature, ease oneselfc1440
skite1449
to do of one's needingsc1475
fen1486
dung1508
spurge1530
to cover his feet1535
lask1540
stool1540
to exonerate nature1542
file1564
fiant1575
cucka1605
wray1620
exonerate1631
excrement1632
to do one's ease1645
sir-reverence1665
excrementizec1670
nest1679
poop1689
move1699
defecate1837
crap1874
mire1918
to make a mess1928
mess1937
to go poo-poo (also poo-poos)1960
potty1972
to do a whoopsie (or whoopsies)1973
pooh1975
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 143 Esyn, stercoriso, merdo, egero.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions vi. 47 Passage to dismisse excrements which easeth.
1611 Bible (King James) Deut. xxiii. 13 If thou wilt ease thyself.
1697 J. Potter Archæologiæ Græcæ I. i. xxvi. 136 Whosoever easeth Nature in Apollo's Temple, shall be Indicted.
1877 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. Ease one's self, to relieve the bowels.
1926 T. E. Lawrence Seven Pillars (subscribers' ed.) xlv. 237 Gasim explained that he had dismounted to ease nature.
2. To give ease of mind to; to comfort, disburden, relieve (the mind or heart). Also (U.S.) with up. Also reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > to relieve one's heart or mind
easec1385
lightena1450
unburden1538
unload1575
physic1589
vent1631
(to take) a load off one's mind1851
free1855
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > be relieved of [verb (transitive)] > console or relieve
froverc900
hearteOE
lighteOE
onlightc1175
salvec1175
leathc1200
solace1297
stillc1315
to put in comfortc1320
easec1385
comfort1389
fordilla1400
recomforta1400
ronea1400
solancea1400
cheer?a1425
acheerc1450
consolate1477
repease1483
dilla1500
recreate?a1500
sporta1500
dulcerate?1586
comfit1598
comfortize1600
reassure1604
sweeten1647
console1693
re-establish1722
release1906
the mind > emotion > pleasure > state of being consoled or relieved > console [verb (reflexive)] > relieve
unburden1578
unweary1631
vent1631
expectorate1667
ease1849
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 1700 And with oure speche lat us ese oure herte.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13868 He esed him wiþ wordes hende.
1483 Vulgaria abs Terencio (T. Rood & T. Hunte) sig. nvi I shall ese my mynde or hertt, Animo meo morem gessero.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xi. f. xv Come vnto me..and..y will ese you.
1631 W. Gouge Gods Three Arrowes iv. viii. 385 Torment [may prove] an occasion of easing the mind.
1733 A. Pope Of Use of Riches 18 Some Scruple rose, but thus he eas'd his thought.
1807 G. Crabbe Hall of Justice i, in Poems 240 Give me to ease my tortur'd Mind.
1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. i, in Lamia & Other Poems 151 And all those acts which Deity supreme Doth ease its heart of love in.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 294 The Chancellor..could not well ease himself by cursing and swearing at Ormond.
1898 E. N. Westcott David Harum 155 After we'd eased up our minds on the subjects of each other's health and such like.
†3. To give relief to (any one suffering from oppression, or burdened with expenses or laborious duties) in wider sense; to benefit, help, assist. Also (rarely) absol. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > aid, help, or assist [verb (transitive)]
helpc897
filsteOE
filsenc1175
gengc1175
succourc1250
ease1330
to do succourc1374
favour1393
underset1398
supply1428
aid1450
behelp1481
adminiculate?1532
subleve1542
to help a (lame) dog over a stile1546
adjuvate1553
to stand at ——1563
assista1578
opitulate1582
stead1582
bestead1591
help out (also through)1600
serve1629
facilitate1640
auxiliate1656
juvate1708
gammon1753
lame duck1963
piggyback1968
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Prol. 84 I made it not forto be praysed, Bot [þ]at þe lewed menne were aysed.
1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith Eng. Gilds (1870) 8 So þat þe somme be nat so moche þt on may be esed as wel as an oþer.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Cij As though they would ease you with a sterope.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1541/2 They were afterwards eased by purueiors appointed for those and other purposes.
a1631 J. Donne Βιαθανατος (1647) ii. iv. §1 If that rule..be..a good guide in all perplexities, it will ease very much.
1647 Protests Lords I. 15 The kingdom eased..by the discharging of all unnecessary forces.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. xlv. 203 He..gave unto each of them a horse to ease them upon the way.
1697 Philos. Trans. 1695–7 (Royal Soc.) 19 746 Towards the latter end of Summer..they constantly eased the Country, and retired of themselves.
1761–2 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) IV. lxiii. 713 The declared intention of easing the dissenters.
4.
a. To relieve, lighten, set free (a person, etc.) of (†from) a burden, pain, anxiety, or trouble.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier > disencumber or disburden
uncharge1303
ease1393
uncumberc1440
discumber?1473
exonerate1524
unlade?1529
dispatch1530
disburden1531
unburden1538
unloaden1567
free1573
disbalass1576
unload1576
disencumber1598
dispester1600
disempester1613
relieve1671
disemburden1790
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 354 Thou shalt be esed er thou go Of thilke unsely jolif wo.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1714) 75 His Son, King Roboham, would not ease them thereoff.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Dvii In maner easyng them of their labour.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxxx.[lxxxi.] 6 He eased his shulder from the burthen.
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xii. 198 If this Law were obserued the people shold be eased of great expenses, iudges & iustices of great trauel.
1630 J. Taylor Trav. in Wks. iii. 90 I am no sooner eased of him, but Gregory Gandergoose..catches me by the goll.
1663 W. Charleton Chorea Gigantum 9 Nor, indeed, can I ease you of that wonder.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 110 The Pastor..eases of their Hair, the loaden Herds. View more context for this quotation
1726 A. Pope tr. Homer Odyssey V. xxi. 342 Ease your bosoms of a fear so vain.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. vi. 63 To ease the expedition of all unnecessary expence.
1833 H. Martineau Brooke & Brooke Farm (ed. 3) vi. 76 To ease my mind of all worldly concerns.
1862 G. Borrow Wild Wales I. 34 A powerful priest..has..eased me of my sins.
b. in passive with preposition omitted. poetic. rare.
ΚΠ
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 739 [Adam & Eve] eas'd the putting off These troublesom disguises which wee wear, Strait side by side were laid. View more context for this quotation
c. humorously. To deprive, despoil of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of)
benimc890
to do of ——eOE
bedealc1000
disturbc1230
bereavec1275
reave?a1300
acquitc1300
benemec1300
deprivec1330
privea1382
subvertc1384
oppressc1395
abridgea1400
to bate of, from1399
lessa1400
nakena1400
dischargea1425
privatec1425
to bring outa1450
abatec1450
sever?1507
spulyie?1507
denude1513
disable1529
distrain1530
destituec1540
destitutec1540
defalk1541
to turn out of ——1545
discomfit1548
wipe1549
nude1551
disannul?a1556
bereft1557
diminish1559
benoom1563
joint1573
uncase1583
rid1585
disarm1590
visitc1592
ease1600
dispatch1604
unfurnisha1616
rig1629
retrench1640
unbecomea1641
disentail1641
cashier1690
twin1722
mulct1748
fordo1764
to do out of ——1796
to cut out1815
bate1823
deprivate1832
devoid1878
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > defecation or urination > defecation > [verb (reflexive)]
exonerate1542
ease1600
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxvii. xiii. 952 Having eased them [L. exutos] of a great part of their prey..he chased themselves to the sea unto their ships.
1639 P. Massinger Unnaturall Combat iii. ii. sig. F3v He is sure To be eas'd of his office, though perhaps he bought it.
1832 J. P. Kennedy Swallow Barn II. i. 4 He became notorious for picking up stragglers..and now and then, for easing a prisoner of his valuables.
1882 Sydney Slang Dict. 4/1 Ease, to rob. To Ease a Bloak, to rob a gentleman.
d. to ease in or into: to ‘break in’ gently (to work, etc.); to move or manœuvre into (a place, appointment, etc.). Similarly, to ease out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > do habitually [verb (transitive)] > accustom (a person) > adapt to circumstances > gently
to ease in or into1892
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific people from a place, position, or possession > by manoeuvring
to ease out1955
1892 Leisure Hour May 462/1 He is gradually eased in to his work.
1951 N.Y. Times 28 Nov. 1/6 There have been many precedents in the Soviet satellites for easing prominent Communist leaders into jail by incessive steps.
1955 Times 10 May 8/7 It is being suggested that the Russians are easing him out of office because of the resistance he is said to have shown towards some of their demands.
1968 Listener 1 Aug. 133/3 A fair number..have either been pensioned off or eased into some job which gives them a living.
e. Dressmaking. To join two pieces of material whose edges are of unequal length in such a way that the extra fullness of the larger section is distributed evenly along the join. Frequently with in.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > tailoring or making clothes > tailor or make clothes [verb (transitive)] > other
fur13..
buttonc1380
lashc1440
pointa1470
set1530
tuft1535
vent1547
ruff1548
spangle1548
string1548
superbody1552
to pull out1553
quilt1555
flute1578
seam1590
seed1604
overtrim1622
ruffle1625
tag1627
furbelow1701
tuck1709
flounce1711
pipe1841
skirt1848
ruche1855
pouch1897
panel1901
stag1902
create1908
pin-fit1926
ease1932
pre-board1940
post-board1963
1932 D. C. Minter Mod. Needlecraft 108/2 Allow sufficient width at armhole to allow for easing in.
1967 Simplicity 7391 (Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc.) To ease top of sleeve, stitch along seam line and ¼″ inside seam line between notches, using a long machine-stitch.
1967 Simplicity 7391 (Simplicity Pattern Co. Inc.) Slip-stitch, easing in fulness.
1968 J. Ironside Fashion Alphabet 82 Ease, v. When one section of a garment is fuller than another to which it is to be joined, the excess material is distributed evenly without gathers or pleats and usually pressed away.
5.
a. To lighten (a burden, etc.); to lessen (an inconvenience); to assuage, relieve (pain, distress).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > mitigate or alleviate
lithec897
lighteOE
lissea1000
stillc1000
alightOE
alithe?a1200
softc1225
swagec1330
abate?c1335
easea1374
accoya1375
allegea1375
stintc1374
slakea1387
assuage1393
planea1400
slecka1400
plasterc1400
soften?c1415
lighten?a1425
mitigate?a1425
relievec1425
asoftc1430
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
sletcha1500
alleve1544
allevate1570
salve?1577
sweetena1586
smooth1589
disembitter1622
deleniate1623
slaken1629
tranquillitate1657
soothe1711
a1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 950 And ech of ȝow eseth otheres sorwes smerte.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 152/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II And for easing whereof he..in verie deed had also promised and deuised how and by what means these charges might be answered.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream v. i. 37 Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hower? View more context for this quotation
1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 112 The hauen is not very large nor safe, but that inconuenience is somewhat eased by an artificiall key.
1633 G. Herbert Cross in Temple vi Ah my deare Father, ease my smart.
1701 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) II. 109 'Tis resolved that it cannot be eased or remitted.
1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. vii. 174 This conduct is found so conducive to easing the rates.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth IV. 355 The horse and the ass..contribute to ease his fatigues.
1834 H. Martineau Moral Many Fables i. 3 Machinery, which easeth man's labour.
b. poetic. To rest from, relax (labour).
ΚΠ
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. x. 543 Easd in Sleep the Labours of the Day.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxiii. 36 The rest which easeth long toil.
6. To render easy, facilitate. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier
favoura1440
easy1556
facilite1585
facilitate1599
facilize1607
accommodate1611
expedite1614
ease1632
smoothen1661
molliate1701
1632 P. Massinger & N. Field Fatall Dowry ii. sig. D2v My miracle is eas'd.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost vii. 430 [Storks] with mutual wing Easing thir flight. View more context for this quotation
1795 A. Anderson Narr. Brit. Embassy China xi. 134 But with this aid in easing the passage, the beginning of the ascent has a very fearful appearance.
7.
a. To relax slightly (anything that is too tight); to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little, make to fit.
ΚΠ
1891 N.E.D. at Ease Mod. Tell the carpenter to ease the door a little.
b. To move, lift, or shift down gradually or gently; or spec. into a person's pocket.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > lower or let down > gradually
letc1400
ease1688
1688 S. Sewall Diary 31 Oct. (1973) I. 182 I help'd to ease the Corps into the Grave.
1850 N. Kingsley Diary 154 The road is verry steep..so bad in some places that a rope is necessary to ease them down with.
a1875 ‘M. Twain’ Wks. (1900) XIX. 246 The widow caught the limp form and eased it to the earth.
a1875 ‘M. Twain’ Wks. (1900) XIX. 252 ‘Ease this down for a fellow, will you?’ I eased the gravestone down till it rested on the ground.
1926 J. Black You can't Win iv. 41 The only thing to do is to blow back his money. Either the lawyer or one of the girls eased in into his coat pocket.
8.
a. intransitive. To cease, slacken. Cf. 10b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > decrease in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)]
littleOE
setc1000
wanzec1175
lessc1225
allayc1275
wane1297
slaken1303
disincreasec1374
slakec1380
decrease1382
debatea1400
unwaxa1400
wastea1400
adminishc1400
lessenc1400
imminish14..
aslakec1405
minish?a1425
assuagec1430
shrinkc1449
to let down1486
decay1489
diminish1520
fall1523
rebate1540
batea1542
to come down1548
abate1560
stoop1572
pine1580
slack1580
scanten1585
shrivel1588
decrew1596
remit1629
contract1648
subside1680
lower1697
relax1701
drop1730
to take off1776
to run down1792
reduce1798
recede1810
to run off1816
to go down1823
attenuatea1834
ease1876
downscale1945
1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Ease, to cease operations, abate. T'rains boun to ease a bit.
1937 New Statesman 25 Dec. 1089/1 The fighting in northern China has eased a little since the fall of Nanking.
b. To relax or cease one's efforts, spec. in rowing; also with up; to ease all, to stop rowing (cf. easy v.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > become less violent or severe [verb (intransitive)] > relax one's efforts
slakec1000
slakea1225
flakec1500
slack1560
slacken1641
relax1652
to slack one's hand(s)1688
to drop off1827
ease1863
slack1864
to ease off1925
society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop
to lay on the oars1830
easy1852
ease1863
unrow1898
1863 Rowing & Sailing 55 This spurt should be continued till the boat begins to rock, when it is better to ‘ease all’ than to attempt altering the stroke into a milder one.
1875 ‘M. Twain’ in Atlantic Monthly May 568/1 When the measurements indicate that the yawl is approaching the shoalest part of the reef, the command is given to ‘ease all!’
1882 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. (Cassell) They also row right through to Iffley without easing.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi iii. 44 I eased up and went slow and cautious.
1889 J. K. Jerome Three Men in Boat v. 73 On catching sight of Harris and me.., he eased up and stared.
1915 ‘B. Cable’ Between Lines 25 ‘Can't you keep on belting 'em for a bit?’ asked the Platoon officer. ‘Might make 'em ease up on us.’
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited ii. iv. 262 She's playing up the religious stuff at the moment for all it's worth. I daresay she'll ease up a bit when she's settled.
c. to ease up intr. To become less burdensome.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > do or accomplish something easily [verb (intransitive)] > become less burdensome
to ease up1939
1939 M. Spring Rice Working-class Wives iv. 79 Things will ease up a bit soon when the children get older.
9. Nautical. Often with away, down, off: to slacken (a rope, sail, etc.). to ease up: to come up handsomely with a tackle-fall. Also in forms of command, as ease away!, ease off!: slacken out a rope or tackle. ease her! (in a steam vessel): reduce the speed of the engine. ease the helm!: put the helm down a few spokes in a head sea. (Adm. Smyth.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > move or go slowly [verb (intransitive)] > move gradually
inch1599
edge1624
ease away!1627
etch1701
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > work ropes or cables in specific ways
windc1550
veer1590
veer1604
rousea1625
heave1626
overhaul1626
ease1627
pay1627
reeve1627
unbend1627
to come up1685
overhale1692
to pay away1769
surge1769
render1777
to pay out1793
to round down1793
to set upon ——1793
swig1794
veer1806
snake1815
to side out for a bend1831
rack1841
snub1841
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [verb (transitive)] > make slack or not tense
resolvea1398
remit?1518
slacken1611
unstretch1611
unstrain1616
ease1627
relieve1814
untighten1836
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. v. 20 When the Shrouds are too stiffe, we say, ease them.
1692 Seaman's Gram. xvi. 76 To make her go more large, they say, Ease the Helm.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Transl. French Terms at Ecoute Larguer..l'ecoute, to ease off the sheet.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple (new ed.) I. xv. 232 Ease her [sc. a ship] with a spoke or two when she sends; but be careful, or she'll take the wheel out of your hands.
1841 Punch 1 35 The dirty lad below, whose exclamation of ‘Ease her—stop her—one turn ahead’—may one day be destined to give the word of command on the quarter deck.
1859 T. P. Thompson Audi Alteram Partem II. xcv. 78 The present government might have stood its ground, if it had known how to ease off the rope handsomely.
1860 H. Stuart Novice's or Young Seaman's Catech. (rev. ed.) 8 Luff and ease off the fore-sheet.
1881 Daily Tel. 5 July 2/2 She ratched like a phantom to windward of us, and..eased away her sheets fore and aft.
1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 132 The earings are eased down.
10. to ease off.
a. transitive. To get rid of with the view of giving or obtaining relief.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > reduce gradually
to wane away1601
wear1697
wean1707
whittle1736
to tail off (out)1827
to ease off1884
to taper off (away, down)1898
to run down1960
to wind down1969
1884 S. Dowell Hist. Taxation in Eng. I. vii. ii. 177 It was an object with the king to ease off the business.
1887 Spectator 30 July 1012/1 Every effort to ease off the immediate pressure of the agrarian difficulty.
b. intransitive. To become less burdensome.
ΚΠ
1884 Manch. Examiner 11 Oct. 4/1 To-morrow..the rates are likely to again ease off.
c. intransitive. To fall away with a gentle slope.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > slope > [verb (intransitive)] > slope downwards
fall1573
to fall away1607
sink1630
lower1734
delve1848
to ease off1880
1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xli. 477 The slope eased off,..and Croz and I, dashing away, ran a neck-and-neck race.
1925 E. F. Norton in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 79 The slope began to ease off towards the edge of the shelf above.
d. transitive. To fire off.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)]
loosec1400
fire1508
let1553
pop1595
report1605
unlade1611
to fire off1706
to let off1714
squib1811
to set off1881
to ease off1916
poop1917
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Carry On! 93 What I do want is a nice little cruiser or a destroyer; something, at any rate, to ease off the guns at.
1962 W. Granville Dict. Sailors' Slang 44/1 Ease off a fish, fire a torpedo (Submariners).
e. intransitive. To take things easily.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > become less violent or severe [verb (intransitive)] > relax one's efforts
slakec1000
slakea1225
flakec1500
slack1560
slacken1641
relax1652
to slack one's hand(s)1688
to drop off1827
ease1863
slack1864
to ease off1925
1925 E. F. Norton in E. F. Norton et al. Fight for Everest: 1924 35 It enabled us to..have a welcome bath, and generally ease off after our first taste of high-level marching.
11. intransitive. Of shares: to become easier, fall in value.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > decline in price or fall
fall?1532
to come down1832
settle1868
sag1870
recede1883
shorten1884
ease1900
1900 Daily News 5 Mar. 10/7 There is no easing in the prices for coal.
1904 Financial Times 23 Nov. 1/7 Sewing Cottons eased off to 12s. 3d.
1927 Daily Tel. 22 Nov. 2 Marconi eased 3d. and Eastern Telegraph declined 3.

Derivatives

eased adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [adjective] > at or having leisure
freeOE
restingOE
at leisurea1529
vacant1531
otious1614
unbended1693
unbending1701
picktootha1726
disengaged1836
otiant1845
otiose1850
eased1851
vacationing1926
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [adjective] > slack or not tense > slackened
unlooseda1382
slackened?c1640
eased1851
1851 Orders & Regulations Royal Engineers (rev. ed.) §27. 124 The Arms to be carefully deposited in the Rack, with eased springs.
1867 M. Arnold Heine's Grave in New Poems 196 Cool drinks, and an eased Posture and opium.

Draft additions 1993

c. intransitive. To move oneself gently or gradually away, in, out, etc. Also figurative. Chiefly North American.
ΚΠ
1924 ‘W. Fabian’ Sailors' Wives vi. 96 ‘Where's Rollo?’.. ‘Gone home, I believe.’ ‘With Roy Bretton?’ ‘No. Max Slater. They eased out an hour ago.’
1938 M. K. Rawlings Yearling xi. 116 Reckon I'll jest ease around the edge to git me my wash.
1938 M. K. Rawlings Yearling xiii. 135 ‘Now, Punkin, see can you sit up.’ Penny slipped his hands under the pillow and Jody eased up slowly.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §56/3 Ease..in, to arrive gradually.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §57/2 Ease in,..to enter casually.
1955 F. O' Connor Wise Blood vii. 125 He sat down on the ground and eased under the Essex.
1977 R. Carver Furious Seasons 79 He eased in behind the steering wheel.
1978 T. O'Brien Going after Cacciato xvi. 104 He let his mind ease away.
1979 J. C. Oates Unholy Loves (1980) i. 33 She should allow Miss Feler to befriend her... But somehow she always eases adroitly away.
1984 A. F. Loewenstein This Place 62 Candy felt happiness ease through all her bones.
1985 G. Keillor Lake Wobegon Days (1986) 152 It's hard to get comfortable if you're tall, you have to ease down until you balance on a particular vertebra.
d. reflexive (esp. with reference to sitting down).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > move or go slowly [verb (reflexive)] > move gradually
ease1934
1934 in Webster (at cited word) To ease oneself into a chair.
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 20 Uncle Buck eased himself down onto the bottom step.
1942 E. Paul Narrow Street xx. 164 Most of the Surrealists eased themselves back into the intelligentsia or the bourgeoisie, or both.
1969 R. Rendell Best Man to Die vii. 60 He eased himself to his feet and scrambled back to Wexford.
1990 D. M. Thomas Lying Together xiv. 152 He eased himself into a faded and lumpy armchair.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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