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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