Quick Definition
relief, remission, indulgence, freedom, rest
Strong's Definition
relaxation or (figuratively) relief
Derivation: from G447 (ἀνίημι);
KJV Usage: eased, liberty, rest
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἄνεσις, ἀνεσεως, ἡ (ἀνίημι to let loose, slacken, anything tense, e. g. a bow), a loosening, relaxing; spoken of a more tolerable condition in captivity: ἔχειν ἄνεσιν, to be held in less rigorous confinement (R. V. have indulgence), Act_24:23 (Josephus, Antiquities 18, 6, 10 φυλακή μέν γάρ καί τήρησις ἦν, μετά μέντοι ἀνεσεως τῆς δίαιταν). relief, rest, from persecutions, 2Th_1:7; from the troubles of poverty, 2Co_8:13; relief from anxiety, quiet, 2Co_2:13 (); . (the Sept.; in Greek writings from Thucydides (Herodotus 5, 28) down.) (Synonym: see ἀνάπαυσις, at the end.)
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἄνεσις anesis 5x
pr. the relaxing of a state of constraint; relaxation of rigor of confinement, Act_24:23 ; met. ease, rest, peace, tranquility, 2Co_2:13 ; 2Co_7:5 ; 2Co_8:13 ; 2Th_1:7
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἄνεσις , -εως , ἡ ,
( <ἀνίημι ),
[in LXX : 2Es_4:22 ( H7960 ), 2Ch_23:15 , 1Es_4:62 , Wis_13:13 , Sir_15:20 ; Sir_26:10 * ;]
a loosening, relaxation: Act_24:23 ( RV , indulgence ; cf. MM , VGT , s.v. ); by St. Paul, opp . to θλίψις , expressed or understood, relief: 2Co_2:12 ; 2Co_7:5 ; 2Co_8:13 , 2Th_1:7 .†
SYN.: ἀνάπαυσις G372 ( q.v. ). †
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἄνεσις [page 42]
This word, which with the exception of Act_24:23 is used in the NT only by Paul, and always with the contrast to θλίψις either stated or implied (see Milligan on 2Th_1:7 ), is found in a more general sense in P Tebt I. 24 .73 (B.C. 117) ἀν [έ ]σει γεγονότας , becoming remiss, as in the paradoxical phrase ἐμπειρίᾳ ἀνέσεως , Wis_13:13 ; cf. also Syll 533 .16 (iii/A.D. initl. ), 932 .53 ( ib. ), where it is used of relief from taxation. P Ryl II. 84 .5 (A.D. 146) ὅπως φροντίσῃς . . . τὴν ἄνεσιν τὴν διὰ τοῦτο γενομένην τῶν ὑπαρχόντων γενέσθαι , in order that . . . the ensuing remission of the lands be effected (Edd., comparing Chrest. I. 363 introd.). For the phrase in Act_24:23 ἔχειν τε ἄνεσιν , where the RV renders should have indulgence, cf. P Giss I. 59 (A.D. 119 20), where a number of persons are enrolled as having vacatio munerum (λετουργιῶν ), as ἄνεσιν ἐσχηκότες ἑπταετίας τῆς ἀπὸ ῑς̄ - (ἔτος ) [16th year of Trajan] ἕως νῦν , and others, one of a τριετία . Can the ἄνεσις in Ac l.c. be a kind of libera custodia ? Moffatt renders the clause, allow him some freedom.
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ἄνεσις [Etym: ἀνίημι] "a loosening, relaxing" of strings, Plat. , etc. metaph. "remission, abatement", κακῶν Hdt. ; ἄν. φόρων, τελῶν "remission" of tribute, taxes, Plut. "relaxation, recreation", Plat. , Arist. "a letting loose, indulgence, license", Plat. , Arist.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ἄνεσις, -εως, ἡ
(ἀνίημι), [in LXX: 2Es.4.22 (שָׁלוּ), 2Ch.23:15, I Est.4:62, Wis.13:13, Sir.15:20 26:10 * ;]
a loosening, relaxation: Act.24:23 (RV, indulgence; cf. MM, VGT, see word); by St. Paul, opposite to θλίψις, expressed or understood, relief: 2Co.2:12 7:5 8:13, 2Th.1:7.†
SYN.: ἀνάπαυσις (which see).† (AS)