closet of ease en · NOUN
Etymology
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”).
Meanings
-
(euphemistic, obsolete) A room used to ease one's bowels: a lavatory.
A Closet of ease.
1662, B. Gerbier, A Brief Description of the Principles of Building, page 27:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| closets of ease | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
Relateds
do one's ease · house of ease · seat of ease