closet of ease
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.