What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Abate vs Ease - What's the difference?

abate | ease | Related terms |

In intransitive terms the difference between abate and ease

is that abate is to decrease in intensity or force; to subside while ease is to proceed with little effort.

In transitive terms the difference between abate and ease

is that abate is to cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork while ease is to move (something) slowly and carefully.

As verbs the difference between abate and ease

is that abate is to put an end to; to cause to cease while ease is to free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc.

As nouns the difference between abate and ease

is that abate is abatement while ease is the state of being comfortable or free from stress.

abate

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) abaten, from (etyl) . Cognate to modern French abattre .

Verb

(abat)
  • (transitive, obsolete, outside, legal) To put an end to; to cause to cease.
  • to abate a nuisance
  • To become null and void.
  • The writ has abated .
  • (legal) To nullify; make void.
  • to abate a writ
  • (obsolete) To humble; to lower in status; to bring someone down physically or mentally.
  • *
  • The hyer that they were in this present lyf, the moore shulle they be abated and defouled in helle.
  • (obsolete) To be humbled; to be brought down physically or mentally.
  • (obsolete) To curtail; to deprive.
  • Order restrictions and prohibitions to abate an emergency situation.
  • * 1605 , , King Lear , II.ii:
  • She hath abated me of half my train.
  • To reduce in amount, size, or value.
  • Legacies are liable to be abated entirely or in proportion, upon a deficiency of assets.
  • *
  • His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated .
  • To decrease in size, value, or amount.
  • To moderate; to lessen in force, intensity, to subside.
  • * 1597 , , [http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/575 Essays or Counsels, Civil and Morall] :
  • Not that they feel it so, but only to abate the edge of envy.
  • * 1855 , , History of England from the Accession of James II, Part 3 , [http://books.google.com/books?id=MN5CNdgbSTYC&pg=PA267 page 267]:
  • The fury of Glengarry rapidly abated .
  • To decrease in intensity or force; to subside.
  • * :
  • To deduct or omit.
  • We will abate this price from the total.
  • * 1845 , , The Church History of Britain , Volume 3, [http://books.google.com/books?id=OfefAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA100 page 100]:
  • Allowing nine thousand parishes (abating the odd hundreds) in England and Wales
  • To bar or except.
  • *
  • Abating his brutality, he was a very good master.
  • To cut away or hammer down, in such a way as to leave a figure in relief, as a sculpture, or in metalwork.
  • (obsolete) To dull the edge or point of; to blunt.
  • (archaic) To destroy, or level to the ground.
  • * 1542 , , The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York :
  • The kynge of Scottes planted his siege before the castell of Norham, and sore abated the walls.
    Synonyms
    * (bring down or reduce) lessen; diminish; contract; moderate; cut short; decrease * (diminish in force or intensity) diminish; subside; decline; wane; ebb * (bring someone down) humble; depress * (come to naught) fall through; fail
    Antonyms
    * augment; accelerate; intensify; rise; revive
    Derived terms
    * abatable * abatement * abater * unabated * abate of

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Abatement.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) abatre, an alteration of enbatre, from (etyl) en + .

    Verb

    (abat)
  • (legal) To enter a tenement without permission after the owner has died and before the heir takes possession.
  • Etymology 4

    From (etyl) abate, from (etyl) .

    Alternative forms

    * abbate

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An Italian abbot, or other member of the clergy.
  • References

    * * ----

    ease

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • The state of being comfortable or free from stress.
  • She enjoyed the ease of living in a house where the servants did all the work.
  • Freedom from pain, worry, agitation, etc.
  • ''His mind was at ease when he received his pension.
  • Freedom from effort, difficulty or hardship.
  • He passed all the exams with ease .
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 11 , author=Rory Houston , title=Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland , work=RTE Sport citation , page= , passage=Walters tried a long range shot in the third minute as he opened the game sharply, linking well with Robbie Keane, but goalkeeper Sergei Pareiko gathered the ball with ease .}}
  • Dexterity or facility.
  • He played the organ with ease .
  • Affluence and freedom from financial problems.
  • After winning the jackpot, she lived a life of luxurious ease .
  • Relaxation, rest and leisure.
  • We took our ease on the patio.
  • (clothing) Additional space to allow movement within a garment.
  • to add ease to a waist measurement

    Synonyms

    * (state of being comfortable or free from stress) comfort, peace * peace of mind * (dexterity or facility) dexterity, facility, skill * free time, leisure, relaxation, rest

    Derived terms

    * chapel of ease * at ease * ease of use

    References

    Verb

    (eas)
  • To free (something) from pain, worry, agitation, etc.
  • He eased his conscience by confessing.
  • * '>citation
  • 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.
  • To alleviate, assuage or lessen (pain).
  • ''He loosened his shoe to ease the pain.
  • To give respite to (someone).
  • The provision of extra staff eased their workload.
  • To loosen or slacken the tension on (something).
  • We eased the rope, then lowered the sail.
  • To reduce the difficulty of (something).
  • We had to ease the entry requirements.
  • To move (something) slowly and carefully.
  • He eased the cork from the bottle.
  • To lessen in severity.
  • The pain eased overnight.
  • To proceed with little effort.
  • The car eased onto the motorway.

    Synonyms

    * assuage, salve * alleviate, assuage, lessen, reduce * give someone a break (informal), lay off (informal) * loosen, relax, slacken * simplify * (lessen in severity) lessen, reduce * (proceed with little effort) cruise