closet of ease
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From the former euphemism do one's ease (“ease one's bowels: defecate”) and to distinguish the sense from other uses of closet (“a small, private room and [obs.] a small, private outdoor space”).
Noun[edit]
closet of ease (plural closets of ease)
- (euphemistic, obsolete) A room used to ease one's bowels: a lavatory.
- 1662, B. Gerbier, A Brief Description of the Principles of Building, page 27:
- A Closet of ease.
Synonyms[edit]
Derived terms[edit]
- closet (as a lavatory)
Related terms[edit]
References[edit]
- Oxford English Dictionary, 1st ed. "closet, n." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1891.