From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
ease
n 1: freedom from difficulty or hardship or effort; "he rose
through the ranks with apparent ease"; "they put it into
containers for ease of transportation"; "the very easiness
of the deed held her back" [syn: ease, easiness,
simplicity, simpleness] [ant: difficultness,
difficulty]
2: a freedom from financial difficulty that promotes a
comfortable state; "a life of luxury and ease"; "he had all
the material comforts of this world" [syn: ease, comfort]
3: the condition of being comfortable or relieved (especially
after being relieved of distress); "he enjoyed his relief
from responsibility"; "getting it off his conscience gave him
some ease" [syn: relief, ease]
4: freedom from constraint or embarrassment; "I am never at ease
with strangers" [syn: ease, informality]
5: freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility);
"took his repose by the swimming pool" [syn: rest, ease,
repose, relaxation]
v 1: move gently or carefully; "He eased himself into the chair"
2: lessen pain or discomfort; alleviate; "ease the pain in your
legs" [syn: comfort, ease]
3: make easier; "you could facilitate the process by sharing
your knowledge" [syn: facilitate, ease, alleviate]
4: lessen the intensity of or calm; "The news eased my
conscience"; "still the fears" [syn: still, allay,
relieve, ease]