Lexical Definition

‎ἄνεσις‎ ánesis (an'-es-is) rest ^G:N-F
from ‎ἀνίημι‎

eased, liberty, rest.

• relaxation or (figuratively) relief

Abbott-Smith

ἄνεσις, -εως, ἡ, (< ἀνίημι), [in LXX: II Es 4:22 (שָׁלוּ), II Ch 23:15, I Es 4:62, Wi 13:13, Si 15:20 26:10*;]
a loosening, relaxation: Ac 24:23 (RV, indulgence; cf. MM, VGT, s.v.); by St. Paul, opp. to θλίψις, expressed or understood, relief: II Co 2:12 7:5 8:13, II Th 1:7.†
SYN.: ἀνάπαυσις (q.v.).†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

ἄνεσις,

genitive εως, Ionic dialect ιος, ἡ: (ἀνιημι):— loosening, relaxing, τῶν χορδῶν of the strings, opposed to ἐπίτασις, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; coupled with χάλασις,[Refs 4th c.BC+]; πάγων ἄ., i.e. a thaw, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; of the ebb-tide, [Refs 1st c.BC+]

__2 metaphorically, remission, abatement, κακῶν[Refs 5th c.BC+]; opposed to θλῖψις, [NT]; λύπης, μοχθηρίας, etc., [Refs 1st c.BC+]; ἄ. φόρων, τελῶν, remission of tribute, taxes, [Refs 1st c.AD+]; of fevers, opposed to παροξυσμός, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__3 relaxation, recreation, opposed to σπουδή, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__4 solution, [Refs 1st c.AD+]
__5 ={τὸ τελευταῖον τῆς παρακμῆς} [Refs 2nd c.AD+]
__II indulgence, licence, ἡδονῶν[Refs 5th c.BC+]; relaxation of custody, [NT]
__III of musical pitch, [Refs 3rd c.AD+]; of an unaccented syllable, [Refs 1st c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: 2Cor.8.13 ☩ Acts.24.23}