easing

1. To free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc.

   He eased his conscience by confessing.

2. To alleviate, assuage or lessen (pain).

   He loosened his shoe to ease the pain.

3. To give respite to (someone).

   The provision of extra staff eased their workload.

4. To loosen or slacken the tension on a line.

   We eased the boom vang, then lowered the sail.

5. To reduce the difficulty of (something).

   We had to ease the entry requirements.

6. To move (something) slowly and carefully.

   He eased the cork from the bottle.

7. To lessen in severity.

   The pain eased overnight.

8. To proceed with little effort.

   The car eased onto the motorway.

noun

The act by which something is eased.