/ease/

/ease/

Noun.

Plural: eases.

Pronunciation: i:z.

Etymology: of uncertain origin. The Italian agio, and the French aise are from the same origin.

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1200.

1. The fact of something being comfortable.

Translation: aise, in French; comodidad, in Spanish; agio, in Italian.

Synonym of ease: comfort.

[…] the ease of her circumstances, in regard to pecuniary matters, had not the magical effect on Rosa’s mind.

Agnes Maria… The Beggar Girl 1813

-) To take one's ease: to make oneself comfortable.

At supper the men took their ease on the ground.

Constance Skinner… Pioneers of the Old Southwest 1919

So after tea, while his wife departed on some domestic task, Mr McCunn took his ease with a pipe in a wicker chair on the little terrace...

John Buchan… Castle Gay 1930

2. State of a person who is comfortable or easy; state of consciousness during which a person does not undergo discomfort or uneasiness; state of being unaffected by pain or annoyance.

Antonyms of ease: uneasiness, disease.

Synonyms of ease: painlessness, untroubledness, comfort.

When Harriet was seated in the chaise, Sindall took notice of the flutter into which this accident had thrown her; she confessed that she had been a good deal alarmed, lest there should have been a quarrel on her account, and begged Sir Thomas, if he had any regard for her ease of mind, to think no more of any vengeance against the other gentleman.

Henry Mackenzie… Miscellaneous Works 1836

Rosa did not altogether enjoy perfect ease of mind after Charley Stewart had left her.

Thomas Lauder… Tales of the highlands 1841

"I do not think I am naturally very polite," he replied, "but mother has always tried to teach me to observe and do all I can for the comfort of my sisters, and so it is easy to attend to the wants of other ladies. I feel much happier for it, even if it has been at the expense of a little ease or enjoyment.

Cornelia Bradley… At Home and Abroad 1853

Having regained a little ease, he eagerly pressed Pat with inquiries about Jane and the children, and the reason of his appearance there.

Felix Hamel – Lionel Hexham… Harry Roughton 1859

He explained to me that posts were few and uncertain, and that my writing now would ensure ease of mind to my friends.

Bram Stoker… Dracula 1897

-) At ease, at one's ease: in comfort; without discomfort. Cf. French “à l’aise”, “à mon aise”, etc.

[…] it had greatly contributed to our comfort as regards position, we being much more at ease, and in infinitely less danger, than before.

Edgar Poe

He has become so far one of the family, as to be welcome at all times […], and we find ourselves so much at ease with him, that we never think even of talking more than we choose, to entertain him.

Henry Mackenzie… Miscellaneous Works 1836

Her daughter entered the room just then; she went up to her mother, and asked how she found herself. "More at ease, my child," said she.

Henry Mackenzie… Miscellaneous Works 1836

"My wants are, simply to find my lost way, and then to procure some food, of which I stand much in need," replied Inverawe.

"Be at ease then, for I shall help you to both," replied the person with whom he was conversing.

Thomas Lauder… Tales of the highlands 1841

I now and then visit a place where I can contemplate, at my ease, a beautiful lady — without even my presence being suspected.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

Mrs Ronald smiled and talked, as she sat at her ease and drank her tea.

Sarah Whitehead… Rose Douglas, vol. II 1851

[…] I tore up from the rock half a dozen soft turfs, and, disposing them like a pillow, begged Lady Biddy to lie down at her ease.

Frank Barrett… Lady Biddy Fane 1897

-) Ill at ease: uncomfortable, uneasy.  

[…] our hero and his guide journeyed on in safety; the former ill at ease from fatigue and the pain of his foot.

Eyre Crowe… Today in Ireland, vol. I 1825

The young man endeavored to join in the laugh this speech excited among the rest, though it was evident he felt ill at ease from the ridicule.

Charles Lever… Tom Burke of "Ours" 1844

-) Particularly: relief from discomfort or an unpleasant feeling, as pain, etc.; with the preposition from, or of.

[…] after promising them luxury and ease from their toils, on their arrival at Moscow.

John Laskey… Medals Struck 1818

Philip, now at ease from foreign disturbances, began to be disquieted…

Alexander Tytler… Elements of general history 1844

3. Chiefly in the phrase with ease: the quality, fact, or state of being easy or easily performed.

Antonym: difficulty.

It was astonishing to observe with what ease and safety our mules ascended and descended the rough and uneven paths over the mountains.

William Lempriere… A tour from Gibraltar 1791

[The squirrel] is usually kept in a box, and fed with hazel nuts. Some find amusement in observing with what ease it bites the nut open and eats the kernel.

Oliver Goldsmith… A history of the earth 1823

But the ease with which these variable fancies were entertained, and the very plausibility which each assumed, should have been understood as indicative rather of the difficulties than of the facilities which must attend elucidation.

Edgar Poe

"Nor would I counsel such a proceeding," said Greenwood, who was himself astonished at the ease with which he had obtained this victory.

George Reynolds… The mysteries of London 1845

4. Particularly in the phrase “to stand at ease”: an easy attitude or position; an unconstrained position or attitude.

The vanquished departed, clinching their empty hands at their opponents, and swearing inextinguishable hatred; while the smiling victors stood at ease, each grasping his booty--bag, basket, parcel, or portmanteau.

Maria Edgeworth… The Absentee 1848

-) Words derived from EASE: easy, easiness, easing, easily, easer, easement, easeless, easeful, easefully, easefulness, eased, unease, uneasy, uneaseful, uneasefulness, uneasily, uneasiness, disease, diseasing, diseased, diseasedly, diseasedness, diseaseful, diseaseless, diseasement.