What is "to stand at ease"

Ease \Ease\ ([=e]z), n. [OE. ese, eise, F. aise; akin to Pr. ais, aise, OIt. asio, It. agio; of uncertain origin; cf. L. ansa handle, occasion, opportunity. Cf. Agio, Disease.]

1. Satisfaction; pleasure; hence, accommodation; entertainment. [Obs.]

   They him besought Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny.
   --Chaucer.

2. Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as:

   1. Relief from labor or effort; rest; quiet; relaxation; as, ease of body.

      Usefulness comes by labor, wit by ease.
      --Herbert.

      Give yourself ease from the fatigue of watching.
      --Swift.

   2. Freedom from care, solicitude, or anything that annoys or disquiets; tranquillity; peace; comfort; security; as, ease of mind.

      Among these nations shalt thou find no ease.
      --Deut. xxviii. 65.

      Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
      --Luke xii. 19.

   3. Freedom from constraint, formality, difficulty, embarrassment, etc.; facility; liberty; naturalness; -- said of manner, style, etc.; as, ease of style, of behavior, of address.

      True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.
      --Pope.

      Whate'er he did was done with so much ease, In him alone 't was natural to please.
      --Dryden.

      At ease, free from pain, trouble, or anxiety. ``His soul shall dwell at ease.''
      --Ps. xxv. 12.

      Chapel of ease. See under Chapel.

      Ill at ease, not at ease, disquieted; suffering; anxious.

      To stand at ease (Mil.), to stand in a comfortable attitude in one's place in the ranks.

      With ease, easily; without much effort.

      Syn: Rest; quiet; repose; comfortableness; tranquillity; facility; easiness; readiness.