stand easyn.adj.
/ˈstandiːzi/, U.S. /ˈstændˌizi/ Chiefly Military.
A. n.
An order to assume a fully relaxed posture or stance; the assumption of such a posture or stance. Also in figurative use: a period of relaxation. Cf. stand easy at easy adv. 4c.
ΚΠ
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.
1899 F. M. Holmes Firemen 97 Allowing for a ‘stand easy’ of fifteen minutes at eleven.
1906 Daily Chron. 14 July 6/2 They need holidays far more than civilians,..A ‘stand-easy’ is necessary to everyone.
1914 Recruit Training (Infantry) 5 Stand at Ease. Feet sufficiently apart. Easy position. Dressing maintained. Men perfectly still till ‘Stand easy’ given.
2008 Mariner's Mirror 94 86 The baggage party began to sell rolls and teas at morning stand easy.
B. adj.
Relating to or characterized by the assumption of the relaxed posture or stance indicated by the command ‘stand easy’.
ΚΠ
1870 Herald (Melbourne) 5 Jan. Mr. Boyes admitted that he understood the stand-easy call.
1898 Daily News 15 Feb. 8/3 The blue-jackets had by no means been idle in their ‘stand easy’ moments.
2009 @lollyblu 16 Nov. in twitter.com (accessed 24 Jan. 2020) Stand easy time for cadets. That means fag and sweeties for us. Yipee.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2022).
> as lemmas
stand easy
c. stand easy: an order in military use allowing a greater freedom of posture than ‘stand at ease’.
ΘΚΠ
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!
to stand easy
b. Military. to stand easy: to assume a position allowing greater freedom of posture than standing at ease.
ΚΠ
1854 J. Boucher Volunteer Rifleman, & Rifle iv. 25 Rules to be attended to on arrival at the ground, and during Ball Practice..‘Order Arms’.—‘Stand Easy’.—‘Shoulder Arms.’—‘Ready.’
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.
1937 H. Jennings et al. May 12th Mass-observ. Day-surv. (1987) iv. 291 When the third verse started the airmen were ‘standing easy’; two at once came to attention again.
1999 A. Mallinson Close Run Thing (2000) i. 18 They were dismounted and standing easy.
<
n.adj.1859as lemmas