The Collaborative International Dictionary
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.]
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Satisfaction; pleasure; hence, accommodation; entertainment. [Obs.]
They him besought Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny.
--Chaucer. -
Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as:
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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. -
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. -
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.
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