1.
[syn: awkward, ill at ease(p), uneasy]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Ill \Ill\ ([i^]l), a. [The regular comparative and superlative
are wanting, their places being supplied by worseand worst,
from another root.] [OE. ill, ille, Icel. illr; akin to Sw.
illa, adv., Dan. ilde, adv.]
1. Contrary to good, in a physical sense; contrary or opposed
to advantage, happiness, etc.; bad; evil; unfortunate;
disagreeable; unfavorable.
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Neither is it ill air only that maketh an ill seat,
but ill ways, ill markets, and ill neighbors.
--Bacon.
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There 's some ill planet reigns. --Shak.
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2. Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil; wicked; wrong;
iniquitious; naughtly; bad; improper.
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Of his own body he was ill, and gave
The clergy ill example. --Shak.
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3. Sick; indisposed; unwell; diseased; disordered; as, ill of
a fever.
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I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill. --Shak.
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4. Not according with rule, fitness, or propriety; incorrect;
rude; unpolished; inelegant.
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That 's an ill phrase. --Shak.
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Ill at ease, uneasy; uncomfortable; anxious. "I am very ill
at ease." --Shak.
Ill blood, enmity; resentment; bad blood.
Ill breeding, lack of good breeding; rudeness.
Ill fame, ill or bad repute; as, a house of ill fame, a
house where lewd persons meet for illicit intercourse.
Ill humor, a disagreeable mood; bad temper.
Ill nature, bad disposition or temperament; sullenness;
esp., a disposition to cause unhappiness to others.
Ill temper, anger; moroseness; crossness.
Ill turn.
(a) An unkind act.
(b) A slight attack of illness. [Colloq. U.S.] -- Ill
will, unkindness; enmity; malevolence.
Syn: Bad; evil; wrong; wicked; sick; unwell.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.]
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They him besought
Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny. --Chaucer.
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2. Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as:
(a) Relief from labor or effort; rest; quiet; relaxation;
as, ease of body.
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Usefulness comes by labor, wit by ease.
--Herbert.
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Give yourself ease from the fatigue of watching.
--Swift.
(b) Freedom from care, solicitude, or anything that annoys
or disquiets; tranquillity; peace; comfort; security;
as, ease of mind.
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Among these nations shalt thou find no ease.
--Deut.
xxviii. 65.
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Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
--Luke xii.
19.
(c) Freedom from constraint, formality, difficulty,
embarrassment, etc.; facility; liberty; naturalness;
-- said of manner, style, etc.; as, ease of style, of
behavior, of address.
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True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.
--Pope.
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Whate'er he did was done with so much ease,
In him alone 't was natural to please. --Dryden.
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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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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
ill at ease
adj 1: socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner;
"awkward and reserved at parties"; "ill at ease among
eddies of people he didn't know"; "was always uneasy with
strangers" [syn: awkward, ill at ease(p), uneasy]