The process of making or becoming less intense, difficult, or severe; gradual reduction of tension, pain, or restriction.
From Old French 'aisier' meaning 'to put at ease', from 'aise' (ease, comfort), possibly from Latin 'adjacens' (lying near, convenient).
In economics, 'quantitative easing' borrows this gentle, gradual concept to describe monetary policy, showing how financial terminology often uses physical metaphors - money 'flows' and restrictions are 'loosened' just like physical constraints.
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