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ease

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈiz// UK //ˈiːz// ease Archaic Humorous Slang

n. a feeling of comfort and relaxation, without any worry or stress. It also means that something is not difficult to do.

n. the absence of difficulty or effort. It can also refer to a state of being free from pain, worry, or anxiety.


SIMPLE

She completes the puzzle with ease.

CONTEXTUAL

The new software is known for its ease of use, even for complete beginners.

COMPLEX

He moved with the practiced ease of a professional dancer, making the incredibly difficult choreography seem effortless to the audience.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English ese, eise, aise, from Anglo-Norman ese (“ease”), from Old French eise, aise (“elbow room; opportunity”), of uncertain and obscure origin. Apparently related to Provençal ais, Italian agio and asio, Sicilian aciu and Portuguese azo. Sometimes ascribed to Vulgar Latin āsia or āsium, possibly from Latin ānsa (“handle, haft”) or Frankish ansiju (“handle, loophole, eyelet; cup-handle; arms akimbo, elbow room”), but more often derived from Vulgar Latin adjace(m), from Latin adjacēns (“adjacent, neighbouring”), present participle of adjaceō (“lie next to, border on”), though the forms and senses are difficult to trace clearly. Alternatively, possibly from a non-Latin source such as Germanic or Celtic on the basis of the conflicting forms which appear in various Romance languages. Compare Old English īeþe (“easy”), Gothic 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐌹 (azēti, “ease; pleasure”), 𐌰𐌶𐌴𐍄𐍃 (azēts, “easy”), Breton eaz, ez (“easy”), Irish adhais (“easy; leisure”). See also eath. The verb is from Middle English esen, ultimately of the same origin.

Usage

Commonly used in prepositional phrases such as 'with ease' (meaning easily) and 'at ease' (meaning relaxed).

Pitfall

It was an ease task.It was an easy task.Learners often confuse the noun 'ease' with its corresponding adjective 'easy'.

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