Search Result for "ill at ease":
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (1)

1. socially uncomfortable; unsure and constrained in manner;
- Example: "awkward and reserved at parties"
- Example: "ill at ease among eddies of people he didn't know"
- Example: "was always uneasy with strangers"
[syn: awkward, ill at ease(p), uneasy]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

ill at ease adj 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" [syn: awkward, ill at ease(p), uneasy]