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   Ease

   /ēz/

   

   noun

   • 1. absence of difficulty or effort: "she gave up smoking with ease" Similar effortlessnessno difficultyno troubleno botherfacilityfacilenesssimplicitydeftnessadroitnessdexterityproficiencymasteryOpposite difficulty
   • ▪ absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise: "I was always vexed by her self-contained ease" Similar naturalnesscasualnessinformalityunceremoniousnesslack of reservelack of constraintrelaxednessamiabilityaffabilityunconcerncomposureaplombnonchalanceinsoucianceOpposite formalitystiffness
   • ▪ freedom from worries or problems, especially about one's material situation: "a life of wealth and ease" Similar peacepeacefulnesscalmnesstranquilitycomposureserenityreposerestfulnessquietcontentmentsecuritycomfortaffluencewealthprosperityprosperousnessluxuryopulenceplentysufficiencycomfortcozinesscontentmentcontentenjoymentwell-beingfreedom from hardshipfreedom from troublesrare:easefulnessOpposite troubledisturbancehardshippoverty

   verb

   • 1. make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe: "a huge road-building program to ease congestion" Similar relievealleviatemitigateassuageallaysoothesoftenpalliateamelioratemollifymoderatetone downbluntdulldeadennumbtake the edge offlessenreducelightendiminishOpposite aggravate
   • ▪ become less serious or severe: "international tension began to ease" Similar abatesubsidedie downdie awaydie outdrop offlet upslacken offdiminishlessengrow lesstail offpeter outtaper offwaneebbrelentweakenbecome weakercome to an endquietenquietarchaic:remitOpposite worsen
   • ▪ make (something) happen more easily; facilitate: "Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making" Similar facilitatemake easymake easierexpeditespeed upassisthelpaidadvancefurtherforwardsmooth the way forclear the way forsimplifyOpposite hinder
   • ▪ (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount: "these shares should be bought and tucked away for when interest rates ease"
   • ▪ slacken a rope or sail.
   • 2. move carefully or gradually: "I eased down the slope with care"
   • ▪ move (someone or something) carefully or gradually: "she eased off her shoes"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French aise, based on Latin adjacens ‘lying close by’, present participle of adjacere. The verb is originally from Old French aisier, from the phrase a aise ‘at ease’; in later use from the noun.

   Derivatives

   • 1. easer noun

   Scrabble Points: 4

   • E

     1

   • A

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

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