at ease
intjEtymology From Middle English at ese, calque of Old French a eise, from a (“at”) + eise (“ease”).
1
A command to be at ease.
- At ease, privates!
- Related terms
- ill at ease, put at ease, stand easy
at ease
prep_phraseEtymology From Middle English at ese, calque of Old French a eise, from a (“at”) + eise (“ease”).
1
Free of anxiety; not stressed or tense.
- Into the trees / Past meadow grounds / And further away from my home / Baying behind me / I hear the hounds / Flock's chasing to find me alone / A trail of sickness / Leading to me / If I am haunted / Then you will see / Searching the darkness / And emptiness / I'm hiding away from the sun / Will never rest / Never be at ease / All my matter's expired so I run2005, “Reverie / Harlequin Forest”, in Mikael Åkerfeldt (lyrics), Ghost Reveries, performed by Opeth, Sweden:
2
Government, Military, Politics, War In a relaxed position with the feet apart rather than at attention.
3
Government, Military, Politics, War Allowed to refrain from being in rigid formation.
- At this command, the soldiers will carry their firelocks as they please, as prescribed in the soldier's drill, No 120, and are no longer required to march with the same step, or to observe silence ; the files will march at ease ; but they will be careful not to confuse the ranks, and the front rank must never pass before the guide, who is on the directing side, and that the two last ranks always preserve about three feet distance from each other.1809, William Duane, The American military library:
- If the column be composed of a considerable number of battalions, the commander can march it at ease, as a column of route.1821, Pierce Darrow, Winfield Scott, Scott's Militia Tactics, page 133:
1 more example
- When marching at ease, you must march in orderly ranks in silence, but you need not keep step or march at attention.1984, Wayne R. Gustafson, Military requirements for petty officer third class, page 3-28: