◙ noun 1. [mass noun] absence of difficulty or effort • 容易，不费力 »she gave up smoking with ease. 她轻松地戒了烟。 »ease of use. 使用方便。 freedom from worries or problems, especially about one's material situation • 安适，安逸，悠闲（尤指某人的物质环境） »a life of wealth and ease. 一种富有、安逸的生活。 ◙ verb 1. [with obj.] make (something unpleasant, painful, or intense) less serious or severe • 减轻，舒缓，缓解 »a huge road-building programme to ease congestion. 一项宏大的缓解交通阻塞的道路建设计划。 [no obj.] become less serious or severe • 减轻；缓和；放松 »the pain doesn't usually ease off for several hours. 疼痛通常不会在几个小时内缓解。 [no obj.] (ease off/up)relax one's efforts; do something with more moderation • 放松，松弛，缓和 »I'd ease up on the hard stuff if I were you. 如果我是你，就会放松心态面对难以对付的废话。 (ease something away/down/off)[Nautical] slacken a rope or sail slowly or gently • [航海] 松开（绳索或帆） make (something) happen more easily;facilitate • 使容易；使便利 »Tokyo's dominance of government was deemed to ease efficient contact-making. 东京政府的支配地位被认为有利于实现高效的联络沟通。 [no obj.] (of share prices, interest rates, etc.) decrease in value or amount • （股票价格、成交量等）下降，减少 »shares eased 6p to 224p. 股指为224便士，下跌6便士。 2. [no obj., with adverbial of direction] move carefully, gradually, or gently • 小心缓慢地移动 »I eased down the slope with care. 我小心地慢慢下坡。 »[with obj. and adverbial of direction] she eased off her shoes. 她轻轻地脱了鞋。 [with obj.] (ease someone into)introduce someone gradually to (an activity) • 逐渐将某人引入（某活动） »he brought in someone new and eased them into the job. 他带来了一些新人，并逐渐引导他们入行。 [with obj.] (ease someone out)gradually exclude someone from a post or place, especially by devious or subtle manoeuvres • （尤指用诡计或狡诈）使某人悄然离开其职务（或某地） »after the scandal he was eased out of his job. 丑闻发生后，他被暗中排挤出局。
【IDIOMS】
◘ at (one's) ease 1. free from worry, awkwardness, or problems;relaxed • 安适；不窘迫，不拘束；放松，自然 »she was never quite at ease with Phil. 她与菲尔在一起总感到不自在。 (at ease)[Military] in a relaxed attitude with the feet apart and the hands behind the back (often as a command) • [军] ［常用于口令］稍息；稍息姿势 »all right, stand at ease!. 稍息！。 ◘ ease someone's mind 1. alleviate someone's anxiety • 安慰，宽慰某人
【派生】
♦ easer noun
【语源】
1. 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