different between ease vs cheer

English

Etymology

From Middle English ese, ays, etc., from Anglo-Norman ese (“ease”), from Old French eise and aise (“elbow room; opportunity”), of uncertain and obscure origin. Cognate with Provencal ais, Italian agio and asio, and Portuguese azo. Sometimes ascribed to Latin *asia or *asium, possibly from ansa (“handle; occasion”) but more likely from a Vulgar Latin *adjace(m), from Latin adjac?ns, present participle of adjace?. Alternatively, possibly from a non-Latin source such as Germanic or Celtic on the basis of the conflicting forms which appear in various Romance languages. Compare Old English ?eþe (“easy”), Gothic ???????????????????? (az?ti, “ease; pleasure”), *???????????????????? (*az?ts, “easy”), Breton eaz, ez (“easy”), Irish adhais (“easy; leisure”). Compare also Frankish *ansiju (“loophole, eyelet; handle, arms akimbo, elbow room”). See also eath.

The verb is from Middle English esen, ultimately of the same origin.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /i?z/
• (US) enPR: ?z, IPA^(key): /iz/,
• Rhymes: -i?z
• Homophones: ees, E's, 'e's

Noun

ease (uncountable)

1. Ability, the means to do something, particularly:
   1. (obsolete) Opportunity, chance.
      • a. 1200, Ancrene Riwle (Cleopatra MS C.vi), p. 213:

        ...?ef þer is eise to fulle þe dede...

   2. Skill, dexterity, facility.

2. Comfort, a state or quality lacking unpleasantness, particularly:
   1. Freedom from pain, hardship, and annoyance, sometimes (derogatory, archaic) idleness, sloth.

   2. Freedom from worry and concern; peace; sometimes (derogatory, archaic) indifference.

   3. Freedom from difficulty.

   4. Freedom from effort, leisure, rest.

   5. Freedom from financial effort or worry; affluence.

   6. Freedom from embarrassment or awkwardness; grace.

3. Relief, an end to discomfort, particularly:
   1. Followed by of or from: release from or reduction of pain, hardship, or annoyance.

   2. (euphemistic, obsolete) Release from intestinal discomfort: defecation.
   3. Release from constraint, obligation, or a constrained position.

   4. (clothing) Additional space provided to allow greater movement.

4. (obsolete) A convenience; a luxury.
5. (obsolete) A relief; an easement.

Synonyms

• (ability): ability, dexterity, facility, skill
• (comfort): comfort, peace
• (freedom from worry): peace of mind
• (freedom from effort): free time, leisure, relaxation, rest

Derived terms

Related terms

• easy, easiness

Translations

Verb

ease (third-person singular simple present eases, present participle easing, simple past and past participle eased)

1. (transitive) To free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc.
   • Elyse Saugstad, a professional skier, wore a backpack equipped with an air bag, a relatively new and expensive part of the arsenal that backcountry users increasingly carry to ease their minds and increase survival odds in case of an avalanche.

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

3. (transitive) To give respite to (someone).
4. (nautical, transitive) To loosen or slacken the tension on a line.

5. (transitive) To reduce the difficulty of (something).

6. (transitive) To move (something) slowly and carefully.

7. (intransitive) To lessen in severity.

8. (intransitive) To proceed with little effort.

Synonyms

• (free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc): assuage, salve
• (alleviate, assuage or lessen (pain)): allay, alleviate, assuage, lessen, reduce
• (give respite to (someone)): give someone a break (informal), lay off (informal)
• (loosen or slacken the tension on (something)): loosen, relax, slacken
• (reduce the difficulty of (something)): facilitate, simplify
• (lessen in severity): lessen, reduce
• (proceed with little effort): cruise

Translations

References

Middle English

Noun

ease (plural eases)

1. Alternative spelling of ese

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /t????(?)/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /t??i?/
• Rhymes: -??(?)

Etymology 1

From Middle English chere, from Old French chere, from Old French chiere, from Late Latin cara.

Noun

cheer (countable and uncountable, plural cheers)

1. (uncountable) A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood. [from 14^thc.]
2. That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment.
3. A cry expressing joy, approval or support such as "hurray". [from 18^thc.]
4. A chant made in support of a team at a sports event.
5. (Canada, US) Cheerleading, especially when practiced as a competitive sport.

6. (obsolete) One's facial expression or countenance. [13^th-19^thc.]
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, V.7:

     ‘thorough evill rest of this last night, / Or ill apayd or much dismayd ye be; / That by your change of cheare is easie for to see.’

7. (archaic) One's attitude, mood. [from 14^thc.]
   • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Mark VI:

     And anon he talked with them, and sayde unto them: be of good chere, it is I, be not afrayed.

   • 1600, Philemon Holland, The Romane Historie

     The parents […] fled away with heavy cheer.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:applause

Derived terms

• Bronx cheer

Translations

Verb

cheer (third-person singular simple present cheers, present participle cheering, simple past and past participle cheered)

1. (transitive) To gladden; to make cheerful; often with up.

   We were cheered by the offer of a cup of tea.

2. (transitive) To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.

   • The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd.

3. (transitive, intransitive) To applaud or encourage with cheers or shouts.

   The crowd cheered in support of the athletes.

   The crowd cheered the athletes.

Antonyms

• boo

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

Clipping of cheerleading.

Noun

cheer (uncountable)

1. Cheerleading.
   • 1999, Jim Lord and Chris Calvert. Cheerleading: Where Does Your Gym Fit In?.

     ...[P]erspective [sic] gym cheer programs must address how to support a cheer program while maintaining appropriate and safe skill progressions.

   • 2000, Linda Villarosa. Cheerleading Changes, and Injuries Increase in The New York Times.

     Last year, more than 75,000 high school participants took part in cheerleading competitions, and the National Federation of State High School Associations says that "competitive cheer" is the fastest growing sport for girls.

   • 2018, Chad Thompson. Iowa Central cheer team is tops at national competition in The Messenger.

     The Iowa Central Community College cheer team has achieved something no other college in Iowa has before.

Anagrams

• Erech, reech