Ease (ēz), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.Eased (ēzd); p. pr. & vb. n.Easing.] [OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See Ease, n.] 1. To free from anything that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to; — often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind.
Eased the putting off
These troublesome disguises which we wear. Milton.
Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. Dryden.
2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate.
My couch shall ease my complaint. Job vii. 13.
3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery.
4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. Chaucer.
To ease off, To ease away(Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually. — To ease a ship(Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled. — To ease the helm(Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Syn. — To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify.