ill at ease

Adjective

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (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”Synonyms: awkward uneasy

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Neither is it ill air only that maketh an ill seat, but ill ways, ill markets, and ill neighbors.— Bacon.[1913 Webster]

There 's some ill planet reigns.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.Contrary to good, in a moral sense; evil; wicked; wrong; iniquitious; naughtly; bad; improper. [1913 Webster]

Of his own body he was ill, and gave The clergy ill example.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

3.Sick; indisposed; unwell; diseased; disordered; as, ill of a fever. [1913 Webster]

I am in health, I breathe, and see thee ill.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.Not according with rule, fitness, or propriety; incorrect; rude; unpolished; inelegant. [1913 Webster]

That 's an ill phrase.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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.] [1913 Webster]

They him besought Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny.— Chaucer.[1913 Webster]

2.Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as: (a) Relief from labor or effort; rest; quiet; relaxation; as, ease of body. [1913 Webster]

Usefulness comes by labor, wit by ease.— Herbert.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Among these nations shalt thou find no ease.— Deut. xxviii. 65.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.— Pope.[1913 Webster]

Whate'er he did was done with so much ease, In him alone 't was natural to please.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]