Main Entry:

¹ease

Pronunciation:

\ˈēz\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English ese, from Anglo-French eise, aise convenience, comfort, ultimately from Latin adjacent-, adjacens neighboring — more at adjacent

Date:

13th century

1: the state of being comfortable: as a: freedom from pain or discomfort b: freedom from care c: freedom from labor or difficulty d: freedom from embarrassment or constraint : naturalness <known for his charm and ease of manner> e: an easy fit 2: relief from discomfort or obligation3: facility, effortlessness <did it with ease>4: an act of easing or a state of being eased

— ease·ful \-fəl\ adjective

— ease·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

— at ease

1: free from pain or discomfort2 a: free from restraint or formality <feels most at ease with old friends> b: standing silently (as in a military formation) with the feet apart, the right foot in place, and one or both hands behind the body —often used as a command