easy
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Fusion of Middle English esy, aisie "eased, at ease, at leisure" (from Old French aisie "eased, at ease, at leisure", past participle of aisier "to put at ease", from aise "elbow room", of uncertain origin) and Middle English ethe, eythe "easy, smooth, not difficult" (from Old English ēaþe, īeþe "easy, smooth, not difficult"). Akin to Old Saxon ōði "easy", Old High German ōdi "easy", Old Norse auð- "easy", Old English ēadiġ "happy, blessed", Gothic audags "happy". More at ease, eath
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈi:zi/
- Audio (US)help, file
- Rhymes: -iːzi
[edit] Adjective
easy (comparative easier, superlative easiest)
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Positive |
- Requiring little skill or effort.
- The teacher gave an easy test to her students.
- (informal, pejorative, of a person) Consenting readily to sex.
- She has a reputation for being easy; they say she's slept with half the senior class.
- (now rare except in certain expressions) Comfortable.
- In the middle of the room was a fluffy easy chair.
- Now that I know it's taken care of, I can rest easy at night.
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Antonyms
- (requiring little skill or effort): difficult, hard, uneasy, challenging
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Usage notes
With respect to the definition "consents to sexual activity", the words fast and easy are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. And the terms are subjective, they are based on the typical customs for the society where they are used. Where someone offers less reluctance than is normally expected, they may be considered easy. Where someone is more readily interested, but not necessarily less reluctant, they may be considered fast. Or both, depending on the circumstances.
For example, if it is typical practice in a society for someone to show that they are of the type with whom it is acceptable to be having sex, by offering gifts, attention or other symbolic representations of value, and the person being wooed doesn't require them, but is essentially willing to do so if asked or wants to do so as soon as meeting the other person, that might be considered easy. However, where someone expects attention such as dating, if typical practice in a society is, if the other person is acceptable, to engage in sexual activity after three or four dates, someone who does so on the second date might be considered fast but might not be considered easy. Someone who does on the first date might be considered either, or perhaps both.
[edit] Translations
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