easyadj.adv.n.
/ˈiːzi/, U.S. /ˈizi/ A. adj.
I. At ease; characterized by ease or freedom from pain or constraint.† 1. At liberty, having opportunity or means (to do something). Cf. ease n. 1. [Possibly eise in quot. ?c1225 may be a distinct word, < French aise at ease.]
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > freedom of action or from restraint > [adjective]
freeeOE
unneedc1175
easyc1200
untiedc1374
unhemmeda1400
largec1400
unrefraineda1500
rampanta1540
unmuzzleda1541
unyoked1573
yokeless1584
licensed1593
unbound1593
wild1599
broad1604
fetterless1604
unconfined1607
ungyved1607
ungaged?1617
unboundeda1625
unfettereda1631
vagabond1635
unmanacled1686
unrestricted1750
haggard-wild1786
unconstrained1796
unshackled1796
chainless1816
rioty1819
untethered1826
unwithholdena1834
bondless1845
fancy-loose1850
constraintless1865
unpressured1879
undammed1896
balls-to-the-wall1967
balls-out1968
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 47 Offredde loc for him . alse hie aisie was; gif hie was riche wimman . a lomb..gif hie was poure two duue briddes.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 20 Ed þe an salm ȝe schule stonden ȝef ȝe beoð aise. & ed þoð sitten.
2. Of conditions or state: Characterized by ease or rest; comfortable, luxurious, quiet.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective] > comfortable (of conditions or way of life)
easyc1380
easefulc1425
commodiousa1528
commoditious1574
carpeta1639
large1722
snug1766
comfortable1769
liveable1794
comfy1829
featherbed-campaigner1888
rose water1889
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 166 Worldly honour & aisy lif.
1483 Cath. Angl. 117 Esy; ediosus, secundus.
1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 185 You vie Happiness in a thousand easy and sweet Diversions.
c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 123 In the full enjoyment of all things that can make their life easy, pleasant and happy.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 114 My Condition began now to be..much easier to my Mind.
18.. E. B. Browning Little Mattie v 'Twas a green and easy world As she took it.
3. Of persons: Free from physical pain or discomfort, or from outward annoyance or burden.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective] > free from pain or discomfort
eathOE
easyc1440
smartless1593
pain-free1629
pangless1727
unirritated1793
passionless1859
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 143 Esy, Quietus.
1695 R. Blackmore Prince Arthur ii. 57 The sick grow easie, and the feeble strong.
a1791 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) XII. 131 Mr. W's radical cure I shall hardly try, I am very easy, and that is enough.
1803 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 10 256 Head easy, thirst and general indisposition continued.
1809 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 21 487 After an opiate he became easier.
1902 O. Wister Virginian iv. 44 ‘She's easier this morning, since the medicine.’ This was the engineer, whose sick wife had brought a hush over Medicine Bow's rioting.
4.
a. Free from constraint or stiffness; chiefly of or with reference to bodily posture or movements. Also transferred of manners or behaviour: Free from embarrassment or awkwardness. Also in phrase, free and easy (see free and easy adj.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > [adjective] > moving easily or freely
easy1483
fast-flowing1770
free1862
fluent1869
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > (of behaviour) unconstrained, free, or easy
familiara1393
dishevelleda1639
easy-going1674
easy1680
free-going1696
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > [adjective] > agreeable in manner > affable > easy
easy1680
dégagé1697
unembarrassed1746
unceremonious1779
facile1844
unstarched1861
1483 Cath. Angl. 117 Esy of gate; gracilis.
1656 H. More Antidote Atheism (1712) Gen. Pref. 17 That I might the more undisturbedly write the easie Emanations of mine own Mind.
1680 Bp. G. Burnet Some Passages Life Earl of Rochester 7 His conversation was easie and obliging.
1704 N. Rowe Ulysses i. i. 77 Be easie, affable, familiar, friendly.
1750 Earl of Shaftesbury in Priv. Lett. 1st Ld. Malmesbury I. 77 Handel..is quite easy in his behaviour.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. iv. 104 Leicester, bowing to his rival with the easiest and..most graceful courtesy.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. III. 142 He was a most friendly personage, as willing as he was free and easy.
1850 A. Jameson Legends Monastic Orders 292 To an easy graceful carriage..he added..great skill in argument.
b. of written compositions: Showing no trace of effort; smooth, flowing. Also transferred. Of a writer or thinker.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective] > fluent or unforced
gentc1390
renablec1410
flowing1553
round1565
unracked1572
current1577
ready1583
voluble1598
facile1607
unforceda1616
fluent1625
sliding1627
unstudied1657
flippanta1677
easy1711
fast-flowing1770
fluida1794
superfluent1917
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 109. ⁋5 He sits with one Hand on a Desk writing and looking as it were another way, like an easy Writer.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 28 Mar. 1/2 As there is an easie Mein, an easie Dress..so there is an easie sort of Poetry.
1832 J.-C.-L. S. de Sismondi Hist. Ital. Republics vii. 153 The light, elegant, and easy prose of his novels.
1880 L. Stephen Alexander Pope iv. 90 He could seldom lay aside his self-consciousness sufficiently to write an easy letter.
1884 R. W. Church Bacon ix. 220 Easy and unstudied as his writing seems, it was..the result of unintermitted trouble and varied modes of working.
5.
a. Not hard pressed: not hurried, gentle; said of motion, a breeze, a fire, etc. Also Nautical, as easy sail.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [adjective]
easyc1385
leisurable1607
vacant1615
leisured1631
leisure1669
sauntry1732
Sundayish1797
sauntering1818
toilless1848
off-duty1851
Sundayfied1899
non-work1922
spare-time1931
non-job1932
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women 284 I saugh comyng of ladyes nientene In..a ful esy paas.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. lx. 1322 [Oximel] is eft ysode on esy fuyre and softe, forto it be þikke.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (Tollem. MS.) (1495) iii. xvii To make þe syȝte perfit þis þingis beþ nedful; þe cause efficient..and takynge hede, and esy meuynge [L. motus mediocris].
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 143 Esy, or softe, yn sterynge, lentus.
1608 E. Topsell Hist. Serpents 282 They haue a very slowe and easie pace.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd i. 120 So to the Coast of Jordan he directs His easie steps. View more context for this quotation
1704 J. Cuningham in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 24 1659 Fair and serene weather..with easie Gales at S.
1716 London Gaz. No. 5450/2 We made an easie sail for the Maese.
1834 H. Caunter Oriental Ann. i. 2 We coasted within four leagues of the land, under easy sail, with light breezes.
1852 G. W. Curtis Wanderer in Syria i. i. 8 The donkeys are like large dogs, and of easy motion.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Easy draught. The same as light draught of water. Easy roll. A vessel is said to roll deep but easy, when she moves slowly, and not with quick jerks.
b. be easy! do not hurry, don't be so eager. Now considered an ‘Irishism’.
ΚΠ
1746 in W. Thompson Royal Navy-men's Advocate (1757) 26 That Gentleman..advised the said William Thompson to be easy for a little Time.
1838 J. Grant Sketches London 41 ‘Be aisy, be aisy!..and don't be after killin' him quite.’
6. Free from mental anxiety, care, or apprehension. Phrase, to make (a person) easy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > freedom from trouble, care, or sorrow > [adjective]
sorrowlessOE
carelessa1000
restful1340
clearc1374
unsada1450
undiseased?c1450
unoffendedc1450
undistroubled1466
frank1477
unvexed1485
quiet1535
secure1545
griefless1552
trouble-void1559
woeless1568
undistressed1582
tearless1603
cocksure1613
undejected1613
undisquieted1627
uncareful1635
serene1640
indisconsolatea1645
trouble-free1648
catastematic1656
thoughtless1659
incruciated1661
easy1692
undepressed1697
unsufferinga1732
ungloomed1737
solute1742
unanxious1742
undarkened1742
unsighinga1743
comfortable1770
unharassed1796
unworried1818
gloomless1820
ungroaning1821
unpestered1824
ungrieving1837
troubleless1838
unsaddened?c1840
untrespassed1854
unannoyed1865
unfretted1870
fretless1878
worriless1889
stress-free1898
unstressed1927
1692 E. Walker tr. Epictetus Enchiridion xx Manage the rest of your affairs of Life With easie Conversation, void of Strife.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 360 I was perfectly easy as to the Security of my Effects.
1723 D. Defoe Hist. Col. Jack (ed. 2) 247 I made her easie in that Point.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 187 Meer Causim was not easy upon the prospect of a connexion between the Emperor and the English.
1885 Law Rep.: Probate Div. 10 88 A sensitive girl, whose conscience was not easy on the subject.
7. Fond of ease, averse to taking pains or thought; not strenuous, indolent; careless, thoughtless, unconcerned; = easy-going adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > indifference > [adjective]
carelessOE
negligentc1390
recklessc1425
neutral1494
indifferent?1520
undifferentc1540
uncareful1560
unmindful1560
unaddicted1583
unmindful1585
perfunctory1602
disinteressed1603
come day, go day (God send Sunday)1616
disinteresteda1631
Laodicean1633
vacanta1639
unconcerned1645
easy1649
mawkish1679
indifferinga1694
concernless1706
unminding1714
nonchalanta1734
coolrife1768
uninterested1772
uncaring1786
tooth-picking1814
pococurante1815
pococurantish1821
insouciant1829
non-committal1829
don't-care1830
promiscuous1837
don't-carish1838
unpartial1840
noncurantist1882
noncuranta1913
casual1916
Gallionic1920
disengaged1958
1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar ii. §10. 3 The easie softnesses of religious affections.
1650 Bp. J. Taylor Rule of Holy Living (1727) ii. §79 For no easie, healthful and idle person was ever chaste.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 89 Easie Sloath. View more context for this quotation
1725 I. Watts Logick iv. i. 511 In this easy View of Things.
1800 W. Wordsworth in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads II. 157 The easy man Who sits at his own door, and.., Feeds in the sunshine.
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. xiii. 294 They..mark out for their prey the easy colonists.
1871 D. G. Rossetti Dante at Verona xvi He'd meet them flushed with easy youth.
8.
a. (With mixed notion of senses A. 2, A. 3, A. 6.) In comfortable circumstances, well off. Also of ‘circumstances’, fortune.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > [adjective] > well-off
wellc1405
sufficient1436
full?1483
suffisant1484
beina1525
warmc1571
well-breeched1571
meaned1605
well-meaned1605
well-lined1611
substanced?1614
well-circumstanced1643
forehanded1658
uppish1678
easy1701
brownstone1780
forehand1784
solid1788
well-to-do1794
snug1801
strong farmer1802
well-fixed1822
unindigent1830
well off1842
fixed1844
comfortably offc1850
heeled1871
well-heeled1871
well in1888
independent1893
1701 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) II. 41 To make them and their Posterity easie in all times to come.
1711 J. Swift Argum. abolishing Christianity in Misc. Prose & Verse 162 Such a Rent, as in the modern Form of Speech, would make them Easy.
1721 G. Berkeley Ess. Preventing Ruine Great Brit. 19 Men easy in their Fortunes, and unprovoked by Hardships of any sort.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. vi. 108 One in easie Circumstances.
1783 E. Burke Speech Fox's E. India Bill in Wks. (1815) IV. 59 These plots and rebellions..are the offspring of an easy condition, and hoarded riches.
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) II. 46 Easy farmers display a variety of plate.
1857 Edinb. Rev. July The ‘easy’ classes will contrive to furnish the governing classes of the country.
a1878 B. Taylor Stud. German Lit. (1879) 160 He was in easy circumstances.
b. easy street n. comfortable circumstances, affluence. Esp. preceded by on. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > wealth > [noun] > state of being well-off
warmness1399
competency1600
competence1738
well-to-do-ness1842
well-to-do-ism1848
well-offness1866
warmth1888
easy street1901
1901 G. W. Peck Peck's Red-Headed Boy iii. 18 This rich old Jew..who has been economical until he has got a million and is residing on easy street, will forget the traditions of two thousand years.
1902 G. V. Hobart It's up to You 31 A young man who could walk up and down Easy Street.
1903 A. H. Lewis Boss 205 Just as a sport finds himself on easy street.
1923 P. G. Wodehouse Adventures of Sally xiv. 180 Honestly,..it's the chance of a lifetime. It would put you right on easy street.
1932 M. de la Roche Master of Jalna v. ix. 1011 ‘Are you sure you can spare it?’ ‘Good Lord! I hope so—after the sale! I'm in Easy Street.’
1938 F. S. Fitzgerald Let. 25 Nov. (1964) 44 There will have to be a period of tough sledding before you come to Easy Street.
1957 L. P. Hartley Hireling viii. 60 He knew that she lived in Easy Street, but then so did most, if not all, of his customers.
II. Assisting comfort; advantageous, satisfactory.
9. † b. Advantageous, affording convenience, satisfactory. Obsolete.
a. Conducive to ease or comfort: chiefly of appliances for repose. See also easy chair n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > sensuous pleasure > physical comfort > [adjective] > conducive to ease or comfort
easy138.
take-it-easy1825
138. Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 129 Þei slepyn ful soft in ful eesi beddis.
c1400 Rom. Rose 5609 Though he have lytel worldis goode, Mete & drynke, & esy foode.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. lxxviii. [lxxiv.] 234 Theyr lodgynge..was not so easye nor large as thoughe they had ben at Parys.
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect i. i. 106 Driven along at a moderate speed, in an easy carriage.
1879 E. Walford Londoniana II. 105 An office much sought after as one of those ‘easy cushions’ reserved for the repose of men of merit or favourites of the great.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > [adjective] > contenting or satisfying > satisfactory
acceptedc1384
allowablec1443
easyc1485
satisfiable1581
contentable1633
satisfactory1640
c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) ii. 126 [A horse is] esy and prophetabyll.
1673 W. Temple Observ. United Provinces ii. 91 Having all one common End of Publique Good, They come after full Debates to easie Resolutions.
c. In phrases easy to look at, easy on the eye(s), affording pleasure to the beholder; esp. of women: comely, beautiful. colloquial (originally U.S.). Also in various combinations, as easy-to-make, easy-to-operate, easy-to-use, easy-to-wear, etc.
ΚΠ
1902 G. Ade Girl Proposition 141 He put his Tag on a blonde Canary 17 Years of Age who spelled Sure with an H and had from 7 to 9 Thoughts every 24 Hours. But she was very Easy to Look at.
1922 P. G. Wodehouse Clicking of Cuthbert x. 253 Her Highness is the easiest thing to look at these eyes have ever seen.
1937 C. Beaton Diary 3 June in Wandering Years (1961) 310 A pliable, easy-to-pose subject.
1937 Punch 8 Sept. 260/1 The same incorrigibly cheerful creature, very easy to look at, very pleasant to listen to.
1938 Amer. Speech 13 205 [The dictionary] is a substantial compilation, easy on the eyes, comparatively rich in idiomatic expressions.
1939 Vogue's Cookery Bk. i. 15 This is an easy-to-make soup for a hot day.
1943 D. E. Stevenson Two Mrs. Abbotts v. 35 Miss Walters was certainly easy on the eye.
1949 Consumer Reports Feb. 68/2 Many prospective purchasers want an easy-to-operate device.
1951 in M. McLuhan Mech. Bride 153/1 The same easy-to-follow lessons.
1958 Oxf. Mail 1 July 6/5 One of the good Westerns, easy on the eye and mind, and pretty tough on the pulses.
1959 Times 9 Mar. Suppl. p. x/3 Easy-to-serve packed foods.
1959 News Chron. 10 Aug. 6/5 This hat has the soft easy-to-wear line.
1959 Woman's Own 20 June 52/1 (advt.) The only home perm lotion in a tube with its own easy-to-use applicator-tip.
1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 15 Mar. 122/1 This tough, easy-to-use, real wood building panel.
1960 Guardian 25 Apr. 4/1 Easy-to-follow recipes.
III. Causing little discomfort or obstruction.† 15. Of small ‘weight’ or importance, insignificant, slight; not very good, indifferent. So easy birth, easy capacity; cf. dial. ‘Easy, idiotic’ (East Cornwall Glossary). Obsolete.
10.
a. Of the means, method, or object of an action: Presenting few difficulties; offering little resistance. Const. infinitive (active, less frequently passive) or of followed by a noun denoting the action; also with the nature of the action contextually implied: of books, language; = easy to read, understand; of the soil; = easy to cultivate, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective]
lightlyOE
eatha1225
easyc1380
tenderc1400
lightsome1440
rife1557
facile1559
eefe1578
problemless1911
easy-breezy1948
without tears1962
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 202 Þis pater noster þat is best & most hesy of alle.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 16557 Þei..cut þis tre in two..þei fond hit good and esy: to dele wiþ.
15.. Frere & Boye 76 in J. Ritson Pieces Anc. Pop. Poetry (1833) 38 The olde man was easy to please.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball iii. xlviii. 385 Vitalba..hath long branches ful of ioyntes, easie to ploy.
1581 W. Charke in A. Nowell et al. True Rep. Disput. E. Campion (1584) iv. sig. Cc iij The place is easie Greeke.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxiii. xiii. 481 Nothing..is more eise and easie [L. facilius] to be knowne.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xviii. 89 From want of understanding this easie truth.
1674 D. Brevint Saul & Samuel 240 Two ready and easie waies of procuring Atonement.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 79 Ploughing is an imitative Toil, Resembling Nature in an easie Soil. View more context for this quotation
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 291. ¶6 This part of a critick is very easie to succeed in.
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting II. iii. 96 Those, which being in great collections are most easy of access.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. i. 11 Men are much more likely to discover easier..methods of attaining any object. View more context for this quotation
1833 C. Lamb Genteel Style in Last Ess. Elia 110 The writings of Temple are, in general, after this easy copy.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. ii. 31 The colors and scents are useful in making the flowers more easy to find.
b. Of a road: That may be travelled without discomfort or difficulty. Of a slope: Gradual, not steep.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > [adjective] > travelled on, over, or through > able to be > easily
eathOE
faira1325
easy1340
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 1402 Þe way of dede semes large and eesy.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxxxiv. 328 And all the other of the Companyons..had more easy passage thanne those that passed the day before.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Repentance ii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 536 An easie and short ladder, whereby we may climbe.
1596 E. Spenser View State Ireland 3 Subdued the people unto him, & made easie way to the settling of his will.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iv. ii. 17 At last, with easie Rodes, he [sc. Wolsey] came to Leicester. View more context for this quotation
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 179. ⁋6 You mount by six easy steps.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. vii. 67 Children of Earth...Whom I have guided here By easier passage.
c. Of water, etc.: not rapid, swift, or turbulent.
ΚΠ
1875 ‘M. Twain’ Old Times Mississippi iii, in Atlantic Monthly Mar. 286/2 Follow along close under the reef—easy water there—not much current.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life Mississippi vi. 81 When he had cooled a little he told me that the easy water was close ashore and the current outside.
d. easy listening n. designating a category of (recorded) music which is popular without being loud, abrasive, or otherwise demanding; also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > pop music > [noun] > other pop music
a cappella1905
soundclash1925
marabi1933
doo-wop1958
filk1959
folk-rock1963
Liverpool sound1963
Mersey beat1963
Mersey sound1963
surf music1963
malombo1964
mbaqanga1964
easy listening1965
disco music1966
Motown1966
boogaloo1967
power pop1967
psychedelia1967
yé-yé1967
agitpop1968
bubblegum1968
Tamla Motown1968
Tex-Mex1968
downtempo1969
taarab1969
thrash1969
world music1969
funk1970
MOR1970
tropicalism1970
Afrobeat1971
electro-pop1971
post-rock1971
techno-pop1971
Tropicalia1971
tropicalismo1971
disco1972
Krautrock1972
schlager1973
Afropop1974
punk funk1974
disco funk1975
Europop1976
mgqashiyo1976
P-funk1976
funkadelia1977
karaoke music1977
alternative music1978
hardcore1978
psychobilly1978
punkabilly1978
R&B1978
cowpunk1979
dangdut1979
hip-hop1979
Northern Soul1979
rap1979
rapping1979
jit1980
trance1980
benga1981
New Romanticism1981
post-punk1981
rap music1981
scratch1982
scratch-music1982
synth-pop1982
electro1983
garage1983
Latin1983
Philly1983
New Age1984
New Age music1985
ambient1986
Britpop1986
gangster rap1986
house1986
house music1986
mbalax1986
rai1986
trot1986
zouk1986
bhangra1987
garage1987
hip-house1987
new school1987
old school1987
thrashcore1987
acid1988
acid house1988
acid jazz1988
ambience1988
Cantopop1988
dance1988
deep house1988
industrial1988
swingbeat1988
techno1988
dream pop1989
gangsta rap1989
multiculti1989
new jack swing1989
noise-pop1989
rave1989
Tejano1989
breakbeat1990
chill-out music1990
indie1990
new jack1990
new jill swing1990
noisecore1990
baggy1991
drum and bass1991
gangsta1991
handbag house1991
hip-pop1991
loungecore1991
psychedelic trance1991
shoegazing1991
slowcore1991
techno-house1991
gabba1992
jungle1992
sadcore1992
UK garage1992
darkcore1993
dark side1993
electronica1993
G-funk1993
sampladelia1994
trip hop1994
break1996
psy-trance1996
nu skool1997
folktronica1999
dubstep2002
Bongo Flava2003
grime2003
Bongo2004
singeli2015
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > pop music > [adjective] > qualities of pop
metal?1518
anthemic1890
Afro-Latin-American1900
sun-kissed1907
heavy1937
Latin American1937
Memphis1938
sun-drenched1943
indie1945
rockish1955
hardcore1957
doo-wop1958
middle of the road1959
Latin1962
straight-ahead1964
easy listening1965
Motown1965
funky1967
post-rock1967
rocky1967
rock-out1968
funkadelic1969
funked out1970
grungy1971
punk1971
grunge1972
Philly1972
dub1973
drum and bass1975
disco funky1976
punkish1976
reggaefied1976
Britpop1977
post-punk1977
anarcho-punk1979
rap1980
trash rock1980
crunchy1981
industrial1981
New Romantic1981
rockist1981
garage1982
hip-hop1982
thrashy1982
urban1982
Gothic1983
hip-hopping1983
beat-box1984
lo-fi1986
technoid1986
hip-house1987
acid house1988
new jack1988
old school1988
techno1988
baggy1990
banging1990
gangsta1990
filthy1991
handbaggy1991
nu skool1991
sampladelic1991
junglist1993
1965 Billboard 5 June 1/3 Billboard this week introduces the ‘Top 40 Easy Listening’ chart.
1974 C. James in New Rev. Aug. 20/2 We found out how to write from talking Scouse... That's what makes our poems easy listening.
1976 National Observer (U.S.) 25 Sept. 9/1 All the plants can groove to continuous music. ‘I stick with easy-listening or classical,’ said Blakeley, pointing to mounted speakers.
1979 Farmington (New Mexico) Daily Times 27 May (Entertainment Suppl.) 6/2 (advt.) All of yesterday's and today's sounds! Country & Western, Easy Listening, Contemporary and Disco.
1986 W. Safire in N.Y. Times Mag. 7 Sept. 16/3 You can also get easy listening, which until recently meant the music of the 60's played in the 80's with the style of the 40's.
11. Of actions: Not difficult; to be accomplished with little effort. Frequently as complement when the subject is a verb in the infinitive; = eath adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > easy to do or accomplish
eathlyc1000
lightOE
eathc1175
easyc1380
facile1484
good1490
easy (also simple, etc.) as pie1890
untroublesome1894
potty1899
sitting1932
cake1968
slow-pitch1981
renable1995
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adjective] > doing effortlessly > involving little effort
lightOE
easyc1380
softc1390
unpainful?c1425
unconstrained1541
toilless1606
facile1607
labourlessa1613
cheapa1616
unforced1642
unlaborious1644
slight1667
sweatless1893
pussyfoot1899
lite1929
light-touch1935
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 245 For drede of lettyng of bettre occupacion þat is more liȝt or eisy.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) vi. xx. 208 In olde men abstynence of meete is softe and easy.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 47 Much easyar it is to spy ij fautys then amend one.
1578 T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery in Heliconia I. 81 As eese a broken Syve Should holde the dropping rayne.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §57 After taking of somewhat of easie Digestion.
1650 T. Hubbert Pilula 144 You must live after the spirit..and thats no easie thing to do.
1726 Bp. J. Butler 15 Serm. x. 193 It is as easy to close the Eyes of the Mind as those of the Body.
1836 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion i. v. 137 The easier digestibility of animal food in man.
1876 J. B. Mozley Serm. preached Univ. of Oxf. vii. 151 It is of the nature of habit to make acts easier and easier.
1878 J. Morley Carlyle in Crit. Misc. 196 It is easy to make a solitude and call it peace.
12. † b. Not unwilling, ready. Const. infinitive. Now only with passive, as easy to be entreated; cf. A. 10. Obsolete.
a. Of persons and their dispositions: Moved without difficulty to action or belief; soon yielding, compliant; credulous. lady of easy virtue (see lady n. Phrases 3b). easy game, easy mark, easy meat: see sense A. 13b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > consent > [adjective] > complying or conceding
accordantc1350
obeisantc1390
comingc1576
easya1616
concessive1632
compliable1641
concessory1641
compliant1642
condescentious1651
conceding1656
complying1668
favourable1734
concessional1765
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iv. 47 Not a whit, Your Lady being so easy . View more context for this quotation
1668 J. Denham Poems 158 An easie Ear deceives, and is deceiv'd.
1672 J. Dryden Conquest Granada i. iii. i. 23 An easie King deserves no better Fate.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 242 With such Deceits he gain'd their easie Hearts.
1752 E. Young Brothers iii. i To which his easy nature, soon appeas'd, Invited me.
1812 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. (ed. 2) II. v. i. 9 The great city..seemed like some fair lady of easy virtue, to lay open to attack, and ready to yield to the first invader.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 258 Juries were no longer so easy of belief.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adjective]
freeeOE
well-willingOE
readyc1175
fainc1275
buxoma1300
prestc1300
liefc1325
rifec1390
willyc1390
baina1400
willinga1400
listyc1440
towardc1440
appliable1449
pronea1450
wilfulc1460
prompt?a1475
content1477
towardly1513
contenteda1525
towards1525
fond1529
comingc1576
unrefusinga1586
open-armed1594
voluntary1598
gainsome1629
easy1653
unreluctant1654
nothing loath1667
applicable1702
irreluctanta1706
unhesitating1753
unloath1861
prone-minded1869
1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius Gothick Warre iii. 83 in tr. Procopius Hist. Warres Justinian When men ignorantly..do wrong, the wronged are to be easie to grant pardon.
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 27 Hutchinson was neither easie to believe this nor frighted at the example.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 304 He was too easy to enter into any employment, that might bring him into favour.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) cxvi. 5 How easy to forgive!
c. Esp. in colloquial phrase I'm easy, I'm ready to comply (with whatever is proposed), without having any strong feelings (about the proposal); I don't mind one way or the other.
ΚΠ
1941 in S. J. Baker Dict. Austral. Slang 27.
1945 C. H. Ward-Jackson It's a Piece of Cake (new ed.) 26.
1948 D. Ballantyne Cunninghams i. xviii. 92 ‘How about you, honey?’.. ‘I'm easy.’
1968 ‘L. Marshall’ Blood on Blotter xii. 84 You can believe 'em or not. I'm easy.
1968 ‘L. Marshall’ Blood on Blotter xxi. 145 You'll have to make up your own mind. I'm easy.
13.
a. That is obtained with ease, with little effort or sacrifice. easy money: money obtained without effort, and, often, illegally; also with an amount specified ( easy dollar, etc.) (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > [noun] > money acquired easily
easy money1896
money for jam (also for old rope, etc.)1919
pennies from heaven1936
earner1970
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 90 The Swain..Receives his easy Food from Nature's Hand. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Georgics iv. 143 A fault which easy Pardon might receive, Were Lovers Judges.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 766 Disease or comes not, or finds easy cure. View more context for this quotation
1856 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. xiv. 463 He obtained an easy pardon.
1882 Sydney Slang Dict. 5/1 The money earned by a prostitute is said to be ‘honest’, as distinguished from that earned by a thief. Probably from the story of the converted burglar who determined to sin no more himself and who lectured against dishonesty, but sent his wife out every night to earn an honest shilling. ‘Easy shilling’ is synonymous in the foregoing sense.
1896 G. Ade Artie x. 79 I guess it's easy money too from the way he lets go of it.
1909 ‘O. Henry’ Roads of Destiny vi. 88 The boarding-houses were corralling the easy dollars of the gamesome lawmakers.
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. i. 15 It may be this..spirit that inspires the midnight burglar.., not merely the desire for ‘easy money’.
1923 P. G. Wodehouse Adventures of Sally vi. 79 If you want to make a little easy money, you go and bet somebody ten seeds that I'm going to interrupt it again.
1935 Discovery Feb. 50/1 It is not to be assumed..that fox farming is a short cut to easy money.
1956 ‘J. Wyndham’ Seeds of Time 100 To enable quick-turnover spivs to make easy money out of suckers.
1967 Observer 26 Mar. 9 Here the pursuit of happiness fuses with the pursuit of the easy dollar.
b. easy meat (colloquial): someone or something overcome, mastered, or persuaded without difficulty; anything compassed with ease. Similarly easy game, easy mark.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [noun] > that which is easy > person or thing easily overcome or dealt with
easy game1896
soft touch1924
set-up1926
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > duping, making a fool of > [noun] > gullible person, dupe
foola1382
woodcockc1430
geckc1530
cousinc1555
cokes1567
milch cow1582
gudgeon1584
coney1591
martin1591
gull1594
plover1599
rook1600
gull-finch1604
cheatee1615
goata1616
whirligig1624
chouse1649
coll1657
cully1664
bubble1668
lamb1668
Simple Simon?1673
mouth1680
dupe1681
cull1698
bub1699
game1699
muggins1705
colour1707
milk cow1727
flat1762
gulpin1802
slob1810
gaggee1819
sucker1838
hoaxee1840
softie1850
foozle1860
lemon1863
juggins1882
yob1886
patsy1889
yapc1894
fall guy1895
fruit1895
meemaw1895
easy mark1896
lobster1896
mark1896
wise guy1896
come-on1897
pushover1907
John1908
schnookle1908
Gretchen1913
jug1914
schnook1920
soft touch1924
prospect1931
steamer1932
punter1934
dill1941
Joe Soap1943
possum1945
Moreton Bay1953
easy touch1959
1896 W. C. Gore in Inlander Jan. 147 Easy mark, an easy prey to a joke.
1896 W. C. Gore in Inlander Jan. 147 Easy meat, one easily duped.
1899 ‘M. Twain’ in Harper's Dec. 49/1 So I disguised myself and came back and studied you. You were easy game.
1910 P. G. Wodehouse Gentleman of Leisure i. 5 If a man's fool enough to be an easy mark ——.
1927 T. E. Lawrence Let. 8 Dec. (1938) 557 That..made him easy meat for all the politicians.
1928 in C. F. S. Gamble North Sea Air Station (1928) ix. 143 Had the Zeppelin been picked up by a searchlight, it would..have been easy meat.
a1935 T. E. Lawrence Mint (1955) i. xix. 66 The driver is an old sweat, not a rookie's easy meat.
1935 Evening News 29 June 3/1 An immense number of names has been invented for the victims [of confidence men]—..suckers, easy marks, wise guys, come-ons.
1943 Archit. Rev. 93 23 All are easy meat, because a civilization is disintegrating and has lost its standards.
1944 W. E. Harney Taboo (ed. 4) 92 He had a gentle nature, ever out to please. He was the type that is known both to white and black as ‘an easy mark’.
1955 Sci. News Let. 28 May 342/1 American pipelines are easy game for an enemy.
1958 Times 29 Oct. 3/2 The play was chosen, no doubt, on the principle that comedy is easy meat for the inexperienced.
1967 E. Partridge Dict. Slang Suppl. 1105/1 Easy mark, a girl easy to persuade into sexual intercourse: since ca. 1920.
14. † b. Of persons: Not oppressive or severe; not exacting; lenient, gentle; cf. A. 12. In 18th cent. also: Not difficult to ‘get on’ with [compare French aisé à vivre] .
a. Of burdens or penalties: Not oppressive or painful. Of prices or conditions: Moderate, not burdensome.
ΚΠ
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xi. 30 My ȝoc is swete, or softe, and my charge liȝt, or eisy.
1413 J. Lydgate Pilgr. of Sowle (1483 iii. vi.) 54 That hath..graunted the to be purged with more esy peynes.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 43 Curators,..Engoyne ȝe not to ȝeesy penans, ne to strayt alegat.
1488–9 Act 4 Hen. VII ix They woll sell theym at none esier price.
1557 Bible (Whittingham) Matt. xi. 22 It shalbe easier for Tyre and Sidon at the day of iudgement, then for you.
1664 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders (new ed.) i. sig. b7v Where Marble is to be had at easy rate, but where Coper is very dear.
1696 S. Pepys Diary VI. 187 Secure it for me on the easiest terms you can.
1766 J. Entick Surv. London in New Hist. London IV. 31 An easy fee of one shilling.
a1771 T. Smollett Plays & Poems (1777) 243 And bid the turf lie easy on my breast.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 251 He remained there in easy confinement.
1879 J. A. Froude Cæsar iv. 34 Peace was granted to him on the easy conditions of a nominal fine.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > [adjective] > lenient
mildeOE
eði modesa1325
easyc1325
sweet1607
lenitive1620
lenient1787
go-easy1901
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > sociable
companablea1387
familiarc1425
fellowlyc1425
companiable1440
fellowable1440
fellowlikec1454
accompanable1548
sociable1573
companionable1593
associable1611
conversablea1684
social1698
easy1714
gregarious1789
aggregative1837
company keeping1839
folksy1852
oncoming1925
mixy1942
outgoing1950
c1325 Body & Soul (Laud) in Wright Mapes' Poems 336 For I [the body] the [the soul] so eise fond the[r]fore couthe I nevere blinne.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 223 He was an esy man to yeue penaunce.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 56 Sche mad hir son more esy and sesed mech his persecucion.
1483 Vulgaria abs Terencio (T. Rood & T. Hunte) sig. qvi Faders shuld be esy ande tendyr anemste theire chyldere.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 310 Pisistratus,..a generous and easie Governour.
1714 J. Swift Some Free Thoughts upon Present State Affairs (1741) 30 Supposing..that the Elector should utterly refuse to be..easy with the Queen herself.
1727 J. Swift Let. to very Young Lady in Misc. II. 323 A Shrew from Billingsgate would be a more easy and eligible Companion.
c. easy rider n. U.S. slang (a) a sexually satisfying lover (see also quot. 1926); (b) a guitar.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > guitar or lute type > [noun] > guitar
guitara1637
kitarc1640
Spanish guitar1862
easy rider1912
plectrum guitar1938
rhythm guitar1939
1912–13 W. C. Handy Memphis Blues Mr. Crump don't 'low no easy riders here.
1926 in R. de Toledano Frontiers Jazz (1947) iii. 37 ‘Rider’, ‘easy rider’, which term means both lover and (not either, or) procurer... Fidelity to his woman is expected of the easy rider.
1927 Jrnl. Abnormal & Social Psychol. 22 16 ‘Easy rider’. This apt expression is used to describe a man whose movements in coitus are easy and satisfying. It is frequently met both in Negro folk songs and in formal songs. ‘I wonder where my easy rider's gone’, is a sort of by-word with Southern negroes.
1949 R. Blesh Shining Trumpets (new ed.) vi. 128 In rural Negro parlance..easy rider meant the guitar..carried suspended by its cord. In the double meaning of Negro imagery, the femininely formed guitar..typifies also a woman companion. In Negro ‘city talk’, the term easy rider has come to mean either a sexually satisfying woman or a male lover who lives off a woman's earnings.
1958 P. Oliver in P. Gammond Decca Bk. Jazz i. 24 For the blues singer, the most valuable instrument was the guitar,..and, as his ‘easy rider’, could be slung across his back when he wished to travel.
d. easy touch n. colloquial a person easily manipulated; spec. one easily induced to part with money. Cf. soft touch n. at soft adj. Compounds 2a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > duping, making a fool of > [noun] > gullible person, dupe
foola1382
woodcockc1430
geckc1530
cousinc1555
cokes1567
milch cow1582
gudgeon1584
coney1591
martin1591
gull1594
plover1599
rook1600
gull-finch1604
cheatee1615
goata1616
whirligig1624
chouse1649
coll1657
cully1664
bubble1668
lamb1668
Simple Simon?1673
mouth1680
dupe1681
cull1698
bub1699
game1699
muggins1705
colour1707
milk cow1727
flat1762
gulpin1802
slob1810
gaggee1819
sucker1838
hoaxee1840
softie1850
foozle1860
lemon1863
juggins1882
yob1886
patsy1889
yapc1894
fall guy1895
fruit1895
meemaw1895
easy mark1896
lobster1896
mark1896
wise guy1896
come-on1897
pushover1907
John1908
schnookle1908
Gretchen1913
jug1914
schnook1920
soft touch1924
prospect1931
steamer1932
punter1934
dill1941
Joe Soap1943
possum1945
Moreton Bay1953
easy touch1959
1959 H. P. Tritton Time means Tucker vi. 45/1 He was an easy touch for any hard-luck story.
1976 Eastern Evening News (Norwich) 29 Nov. Caravan dwellers are on the increase and they will keep on increasing while Norwich remains an easy touch; the complacency regarding this problem is alarming.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > of little importance or trivial
eathlyc890
lighteOE
littleOE
small?c1225
singlec1449
easy1474
triflous1509
naughty1526
slender1530
slight1548
shrimpish1549
slipper1567
truanta1572
toyous1581
trivious1583
mean1585
silly1587
nicea1594
puny?1594
puisne1598
pusill1599
whindling1601
sapless1602
non-significant1603
poor1603
unsignificant1603
flea-bite1605
perishing1605
lank1607
weightless1610
fonda1616
penny farthing1615
triviala1616
unweighty1621
transitory1637
twattling1651
inconsiderate1655
unserious1655
nugal1656
small drink1656
slighty1662
minute1668
paddling1679
snitling1682
retail1697
Lilliputian1726
vain1731
rattletrap1760
peppercornish1762
peppercorn1791
underling1804
venial1806
lightweight1809
floccinaucical1826
small-bore1833
minified1837
trantlum1838
piffling1848
tea-tabular1855
potty1860
whipping-snapping1861
tea-gardeny1862
quiddling1863
twaddling1863
fidgeting1865
penny ante1865
feather-weighted1870
jerkwater1877
midget1879
mimsy1880
shirttail1881
two-by-four1885
footle1894
skittery1905
footery1929
Mickey Mouse1931
chickenshit1934
minoritized1945
marginal1952
marginalized1961
tea-party1961
little league1962
marginalizing1977
minnowy1991
1474 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 590 Thow..I..haue govyn yow bot easy cause to remembyr me..yet..let me not be forgotyn.
1475 Bk. Noblesse 78 Holden vertuous..though he were descendid but of esie birthe.
1481 W. Caxton Tulle of Old Age H j Of so grete age that he..shold be of easy power of bodily strength to make werre ayenst Carthage.
1491 Will of John Cliff (P.R.O.: PROB. 11/8) f. 322 I shall leue but Esy good.
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xiiii. f. 147v Easy agrement foloweth: where women be maried nat for loue: but for good.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes (1877) 348 Wine that was but easie and so-so.
1641 R. Carpenter Experience, Hist., & Divinitie ii. vii. 171 Shall one of us dirty creatures, frowne and be troubled..moved by every small, and easie occasion?
1648 E. Symmons Vindic. King Charles (new ed.) 191 Though an easie capacity might foresee that they could do nothing by such an enterprize.
16. Not pressing hardly; loosely fitting; opposed to tight.
ΚΠ
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 4 Is my beauer easier . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 279 This womans an easie gloue my Lord, she goes off and on at pleasure. View more context for this quotation
1891 N.E.D. at Easy Mod. The coat is an easy fit. An easy pair of slippers. The nut of the screw is a little too easy.
17. Commerce (opposed to tight.) Of a commodity: Not much in demand; hardly maintaining its price. Of the state of the market: Not characterized by eager demand; showing little firmness in prices.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > [adjective] > feeling or state of market
sensitive1813
bearish1827
light1827
quiet1833
easy1836
soft1849
weak1856
steady1857
buoyant1868
sick1870
swimming1870
featureless1879
bullish1882
firm1887
gravelly1887
technical1889
pippy1892
manipulated1903
thin1931
volatile1931
trendless1939
nervous1955
toppy1961
over-bullish1970
toppish1983
1836 D. Webster Private Corr. (1856) II. 21 The deposit and distribution bill has become a law, and money is already getting to be much easier, as the phrase is.
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) ‘The money market is easy’; i.e. loans of money may easily be procured.
1870 J. K. Medbery Men & Myst. Wall St. 69 The lender seeks the borrower. Money becomes a drug. Technically it is ‘easy’ or ‘inactive’.
1873 Money Market (ed. 3) 4 When the total supply of surplus money, unemployed in a reproductive manner, is abundant, the market is said to be ‘easy’; when it is scarce, the market is ‘tight’.
1875 Economist 2 Jan. 18/2 The prevailing anticipation of an easy money market.
1888 Standard 7 Apr. 2/8 (Trade report) Bacon is easier.
a1891 Mod. The money-market is easy.
1957 Economist 7 Dec. 867/2 The objective expert inquiry which Mr Eisenhower sought was swamped in the House when the advocates of easy money climbed aboard.
18. In Whist. honours easy: said when the ‘honours’ are evenly divided. (Merely colloquial: the technical phrase is ‘honours divided’.)
ΚΠ
1884 Sat. Rev. 26 July 103 If we have the worst of that, honours are easy.
B. adv. In an easy manner.† 2. In a very moderate degree. Obsolete.
1. Without difficulty. Chiefly in comparative or superlative; now colloquial or vulgar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb]
lighteOE
eathOE
eathlyc1000
wellc1325
easilyc1384
easy1400
mackly1440
of light?c1450
facilely1490
facile1524
handsomely1538
eaths1594
simply1681
unproblematically1771
slick1825
1400 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 239 For esye he comun al esye ho ssuln wende.
1564 Briefe Exam. ***b This thyng is easyer..saide of you, then proued.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. viii. sig. G6 Three miles it might be easy heard.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets cix. sig. G3v As easie might I from my selfe depart. View more context for this quotation
a1653 R. Filmer Patriarcha (1680) iii. §12 The voice of a multitude is easier heard.
a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. ii. 345 The good man can easiest persuade himself that God is good.
1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XIV lxxxv. 157 A wavering spirit may be easier wreck'd.
1871 S. Smiles Character v. 134 All the easier led away by bad example.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > moderateness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adverb] > in a very moderate degree
easy1475
1475 Bk. Noblesse 72 Many of the officers have be but esy vaileable to the defense of youre countre.
3. Not tightly, with freedom of movement.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adverb] > roomily > so as to have ample room
lax1667
easy1710
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 204. ⁋2 Fit as easie as any Piece of Work.
1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in Lamia & Other Poems 103 The bolts full easy slide.
4.
a. colloquial. At a leisurely pace, comfortably, without much trouble; in a comfortable position (also transferred of a ship). In to take it easy, to make oneself comfortable, to do no more than one must; also, to let one off easy, i.e. with a light penalty; to go easy (on or with), to use sparingly; to act cautiously, to proceed with caution; also absol. (cf. quot. 1885); easy does it, go carefully, take your time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > without trouble or inconvenience
easy1779
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > reduce sentence or penalty
forbuyc1315
lenify1567
commute1642
to let one off easy1821
1779 T. Forrest Voy. New Guinea 13 Which kept the vessel's head to the sea, and made her lie easy.
1821 Ld. Byron Let. 2 Jan. (1978) VIII. 54 The ‘two dozen’ were with the cat-o'-nine tails; the ‘let you off easy’ was rather his own opinion than that of the patient.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xii. 179 Everything was going on quite easy and comfortable.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. (at cited word) Taking it easy. Neglecting the duty.
1885 Illustr. London News 23 May 539/2 Take my advice, and go easy for a bit.
1891 J. S. Farmer Slang II. 352/1 Easy does it! (popular). An exclamation of encouragement and counsel = ‘Take your time and keep your coat on.’
1900 C. W. Winchester Victories of Wesley Castle vii. 143 You will have to go easy on that subject.
1928 J. P. McEvoy Show Girl 21 No high pressure stuff, sis. Easy does it with Dick.
1934 R. Macaulay Going Abroad xxx. 279 I've more or less gone easy on the powder and lipstick.
1935 ‘A. Bridge’ Illyrian Spring xi. 143 Easy does it—to be easy was the thing.
1947 D. M. Davin For Rest of Lives xxii. 108 Go easy with that torch.
1955 L. P. Hartley Perfect Woman xxx. 272 I won't ask her yet what's the matter he decided. Easy does it.
1965 Times Lit. Suppl. 22 Apr. 317/1 A couple of foreign translations of my works should have warned me to go easy.
b. colloquial. As word of command. easy!: (move) gently! Also easy ahead!: (steam) at a moderate speed!; easy on: steady on! go easy! In Boating, easy all!: stop (rowing)! Hence as n. A short rest.
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1865 L. Stephen Sketches from Cambr. 119 Hallo! easy all! Hard word there, Smith! what does it mean?
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Easy, lower gently.
1883 I. L. Bird Sketches Malay Penins. v, in Leisure Hour 193/2 ‘Easy ahead’, shouts the..captain.
1885 Standard 6 Mar. 3/7 They reached Iffley lock without an easy.
1892 G. R. Lowndes Camping Sketches v. 161 We took a day's easy at Tyn-y-groes,..by the salmon pool.
1922 T. E. Lawrence Let. 7 Sept. (1938) 365 I..read it in an easy, as we sat on the stye roof.
1928 Observer 19 Feb. 14 In the fourth [movement], being unable to switch off, I took an easy by thinking of something else.
1929 M. de la Roche Whiteoaks x. 490 ‘What's the to-do?’.. ‘Easy on, Mama... It's nothing but young Finch. We've found out where he is.’
1941 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang 27 Easy on!, go easy! desist! be sensible!
c. stand easy: an order in military use allowing a greater freedom of posture than ‘stand at ease’.
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society > armed hostility > military organization > orders > order [interjection] > rest or stand easy
for straw1702
stand easy1859
stand easy1859
1859 Field Exercise Infantry (rev. ed.) 5 If the command to Stand-at-Ease is followed by the word Stand Easy, the men will be permitted to move their limbs, but without quitting their ground.
1883 Field Exerc. Infantry i. 6 On the word Squad being given to men standing easy, every soldier will at once assume the position of standing at ease.
1914 Recruit Training (Infantry) 5 Stand at Ease. Feet sufficiently apart. Easy position. Dressing maintained. Men perfectly still till ‘Stand easy’ given.
1920 J. Galsworthy Foundations iii. 62 Form fours—by your right—quick march!.. Left turn!.. Stand easy!
C. n. see B. 4b.
Compounds
C1.
a. Parasynthetic.
easy-hearted adj.
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1637 J. Milton Comus 7 I..Wind me into the easie hearted man, And hug him into snares.
easy-humoured adj.
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a1720 J. Sheffield Wks. (1753) II. 177 Tully, the most easy-humoured and facetious man in the world.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iii. xxv. 147 The easiest-humoured amateur of luxury.
easy-priced adj.
easy-spirited adj.
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1633 J. Ford Loves Sacrifice ii. sig. F2v I was a good cold easie-spirited man.
easy-tempered adj.
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1822 W. Irving Bracebridge Hall iv. 38 Her ladyship is one of those easy-tempered beings.
easy-troubled adj.
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a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 65 For what does vast Wealth bring, but Cheat..An easy-troubled Life, and short?
b. Adverbial. Also easy-going adj.† easy-melting adj. Obsolete
easy-borrowed adj.
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1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 343 A slaue, whose easie borrowed pride Dwels in the fickle grace of her a followes. View more context for this quotation
easy-flowing adj.
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1840 G. Darley in Wks. of Beaumont & Fletcher I. Introd. p. xxix Fletcher's liveliness, bustle, his easy-flowing language..are sure to titillate a mixed audience.
easy-handled adj.
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1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iii. xxv. 142 One of those easy-handled personages.
easy-held adj.
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a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. v. 95 Her easie held imprisonment. View more context for this quotation
easy-rising adj.
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1625 K. Long tr. J. Barclay Argenis ii. xi. 98 There were small hillocks vpon an easie-rising plaine.
easy-spoken adj.
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1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. i. 10 (note) A world, where most of us are plain easy-spoken people.
easy-yielding adj.
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1595 S. Daniel First Fowre Bks. Ciuile Warres i. cii. sig. F2 And easie-yeelding zeale was quickly caught.
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1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 ii. i. 171 Haue wrought the easie melting king like waxe.
C2. Special collocations.
easy-care n. used attributively of (the properties of) man-made and other fabrics: convenient, serviceable (implying rapid drying after laundering, and crease-resistance).
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1960 Farmer & Stockbreeder 12 Jan. (Suppl.) 2/1 The easy-care properties common to all synthetic fibre or man-made fabrics.
1962 J. T. Marsh Self-smoothing Fabrics ii. 11 The production of ‘easy-care’ goods.
1963 New Yorker 8 June 88 Walking shorts, made expressly for us in cool, easy-care cotton-and-acetate seersucker.
easy-clean n. used attributively of a fabric, etc., that is easy to clean.
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1937 Times 5 Oct. 6/5 The easy-clean wheels have large hubs—a break from Daimler tradition.
1966 Daily Tel. 26 Oct. 13/2 Easy-clean fabrics for chair covers are not yet all available by the yard in shops.
easy-paced adj. Cricket and Golf said of the ground or pitch when the ball comes at an easy pace off or along it.
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1905 Westm. Gaz. 25 July 8/2 Cotter, though he made the ball bump considerably at times, was scarcely suited by the easy-paced wicket.
1928 Observer 1 July 28/1 Batting first on an easy-paced pitch, Leicestershire began well against Warwickshire.
1959 Times 12 Sept. 3/4 Easy-paced greens.
Draft additions July 2002
colloquial. easy come, easy go: what is acquired without effort or difficulty is often as easily lost, or may be abandoned without regret; frequently expressing a relaxed, carefree, or fatalistic approach to life, esp. to material possessions or relationships. Also as adj.: designating such an attitude.
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1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. ix. sig. L Lyght come lyght go.
1650 A. Bradstreet Tenth Muse 126 For that which easily comes, as freely goes.]
1831 S. Warren in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 71/2 ‘Easy come, easy go,’ is..characteristic of rapidly acquired commercial fortunes.
1853 E. T. Freedley Pract. Treat. Business 311 Prosperity is a more severe ordeal than adversity, especially sudden prosperity. ‘Easy come, easy go’, is an old and true proverb.
1913 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 22 Feb. 14/3 Five trucks in all we'd got away with; and from one, I remember, we knocked out nearly a thousand dollars apiece. As is always the case, though, with a crook, it was easy come, easy go; and I was flat broke again—down to the grit almost.
1950 E. Waugh Let. 26 Apr. (1980) 324 Cécile has passed out of my heart... Easy come, easy go.
1977 Belfast Tel. 22 Feb. 6/6 And we may also expect that with statutory encouragement for an ‘easy come, easy go’ attitude to marriage, respect for it as an institution will diminish.
1991 M. Falk Part of Furnit. (BNC) 46 What? Sacked!.. Well it's ‘easy come, easy go’ in those places, you should put it behind you and carry on with life, that's the best thing.
Draft additions August 2007
easy-drinking adj. (of an alcoholic beverage, esp. wine) easy to drink; smooth, simply flavoured.
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1963 Sheboygan (Wisconsin) Post 6 Dec. 22 (advt.) Why is CB No. 1? It's the easy-drinking brandy! Great flavor. Never harsh. All the roughness has been refined away.
1981 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 11 Nov. c18 Easy-drinking wines in their youth, many have begun to fade, losing their fruit and displaying the tawny tinge indicative of declining quality.
2005 FHM Jan. 231/2 Easy-drinking French fizz lacking the ‘complexity’ of champagne, but it'll happily slide down the throats of ignorant Brit scrotes like us.
Draft additions December 2013
easy-virtued adj. (of a woman) sexually promiscuous; (also more generally) possessing moral standards of little integrity; cf. of easy virtue at virtue n. Phrases 6.
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1828 R. Taylor in Lion 17 Oct. 499 Jupiter himself went a larking, and not an easy-virtued lady in the land, wanted her Gabriel.
1853 Daily Free Democrat (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) 29 Oct. 2/2 Not being a dram-drinking, easy-virtued, unprincipled and unscrupulous politician.., Mr. Holton cannot be used as a cats-paw in the hands of scheming speculators.
1900 Era 24 Mar. 13/1 The easy-virtued lady's husband returns unexpectedly from South Africa, and threatens homicide with an elephant gun.
1947 R. W. Sellars Relig. Liberals Reply 172 I am..shocked in my intellectual conscience, by those easy-virtued controversialists..who attack humanism by saying that it is a form of Comtism.
1993 J. Cooper Araminta's Wedding xxxii. 130 Majorcan fisherman used to queue up on the quay in the fifties to welcome the loose-legged, easy virtued English typists.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
easyv.
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the world > action or operation > easiness > find no difficulty in [verb (transitive)] > make easy or easier
favoura1440
easy1556
facilite1585
facilitate1599
facilize1607
accommodate1611
expedite1614
ease1632
smoothen1661
molliate1701
1556 R. Record Castle of Knowl. 51 If I myght see their forme I shoulde be muche easyed in framynge it.
1567 J. Maplet Greene Forest f. 68 Their [cranes'] flight is like a Triangle, sharpe at the ende, and broade aboue, and easied therewithall by one another his helping.
c. intransitive. Of an oarsman or crew: to cease rowing.
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1881 Rowing, Steering & Coaching on Cam 25 All boats going down are supposed to give way to boats coming up—i.e., to easy and pull in their oars.
1881 Rowing, Steering & Coaching on Cam 25 You must always easy for the 'Varsity trials in the October term.
1881 Rowing, Steering & Coaching on Cam 26 You must take care to easy some distance from where you want to stop.
1890 S. Lane-Poole Barbary Corsairs ii. xvi. 213 She..‘easies’ with every blade suspended motionless above the waves.
1959 Times 13 Mar. 18/1 King's easied opposite the Doves.
d. transitive. To give (an oarsman or crew) the order to stop rowing.
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society > travel > travel by water > propelling boat by oars, paddle, or pole > [verb (intransitive)] > row > slacken speed or stop
to lay on the oars1830
easy1852
ease1863
unrow1898
1852 J. F. Bateman Aquatic Notes iii. 32 The University steerer, supposing he had bumped them there, ‘easied all’, but his Crew, perceiving their mistake, pulled on again.
1882 Daily Tel. 2 Mar. (Cassell) They..were not easied until reaching Iffley Lasher.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.adv.n.c1200
v.1556- balloon-borne
- balloon-buster
- balloon-cap
- balloon-headed
- balloon-letter
- balloon-like
- balloon-shaped
- balloon-tyred
- balloon-wheel
- balloonacy
- balloonatic
- balloonation
- balloonback chair
- balloonborne
- balloonbuster
- ballooncap
- ballooned
- ballooner
- ballooners
- balloonery
- balloonest
- balloonet
- balloonfish
- balloonful
- balloonheaded