ease

noun

• absence of difficulty or effort:he gave up tobacco and alcohol with ease the guitar’s versatility and ease of handling
• absence of rigidity or discomfort; poise:I was always vexed by her self-contained ease
• freedom from worries or problems, especially about one’s material situation:a life of wealth and ease

verb

• 1 [with object] make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe:a huge road-building program to ease congestion
• [no object] become less serious or severe:the pain doesn’t usually ease off for several hours
• [no object] (ease up) relax one’s efforts; do something with more moderation:I’d ease up on the hard stuff if I were you
• (ease something away/down/off) Nautical slacken a rope.
• (ease something away/down/off) Nautical sail slowly or gently.
• make (something) happen more easily; facilitate:Tokyo’s dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making
• [no object] 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 noun easing)a slight easing of inflation

• 2 [no object] move carefully, gradually, or gently:I eased down the slope with care [with object]:the pilot eased the throttle back
• [with object] (ease someone out) gradually exclude someone from a post or place, especially by devious or subtle maneuvers:after the scandal he was eased out of his job