EAR-WIGGING. Feeding an officer's ear with scandal against an absent individual.
EASE, To Stand at. To remain at rest.
EASE AWAY! To slacken out a rope or tackle-fall.
EASE HER! In a steamer, is the command to reduce the speed of the engine, preparatory to "stop her," or before reversing for "turn astern."
EASE OFF! Ease off handsomely, or Ease away there! To slacken out a rope or tackle-fall carefully.
EASE THE HELM! An order often given in a vessel close-hauled, to put the helm down a few spokes in a head sea, with the idea that if the ship's way be deadened by her coming close to the wind she will not strike the opposing sea with so much force. It is thought by some that extreme rolling as well as pitching are checked by shifting the helm quickly, thereby changing the direction of the ship's head, and what is technically called "giving her something else to do."
EASE UP, To. To come up handsomely with a tackle-fall.
EAST. From the Anglo-Saxon, y'st. One of the cardinal points of the compass. Where the sun rises due east, it makes equal days and nights, as on the equator.
EAST-COUNTRY. A term applied to the regions bordering on the Baltic.
EAST-COUNTRY SHIPS. The same as easterlings.