to stand at ease

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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