repose
1 Americannoun
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the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.
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peace; tranquility; calm.
rare moments of utter repose.
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dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.
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absence of movement, animation, etc..
When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.
verb (used without object)
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to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
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to lie dead.
His body will repose in the chapel for two days.
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to be peacefully calm and quiet.
The sea reposed under the tropical sun.
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to lie or rest on something.
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Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.
verb (used with object)
verb (used with object)
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to put (confidence, trust, etc.) in a person or thing.
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to put under the authority or at the disposal of a person.
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Archaic. to deposit.
noun
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a state of quiet restfulness; peace or tranquillity
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dignified calmness of manner; composure
verb
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to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest
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(intr) to lie when dead, as in the grave
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formal (intr; foll by on, in, etc) to take support (from) or be based (on)
your plan reposes on a fallacy
verb
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to put (trust or confidence) in a person or thing
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to place or put (an object) somewhere
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of repose1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English verb reposen, from Middle French reposer, Old French, from Late Latin repausāre, equivalent to Latin re- re- + Late Latin pausāre “to rest” (derivative of Latin pausa pause )
Origin of repose2
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English reposen “to replace,” influenced by Latin reposuisse “to have put back,” perfect infinitive of repōnere; see re-, pose 1
Explanation
Repose is a formal or literary term used to mean the act of resting, or the state of being at rest. Repose is also a state of mind: freedom from worry. As a verb, repose means to rest or relax, or to rest on something for support: "There she was, reposing on the front porch." The verb is from Middle English, from Old French reposer, from Late Latin repausāre, "to cause to rest," from the Latin prefix re-, "again," plus pausāre, "to rest."
Vocabulary lists containing repose
The Great Gatsby
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Animal Farm
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
A moral universe in which I can meaningfully tell my beads for the repose of the souls of departed friends and family.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
They will lie in repose together in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Ms Whyte's home village of Barefield from 15:00 until 19:00 BST.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025
While her maybe-beau stays forced in repose, Iris cycles through all the different types of women she could be.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2025
Water can be used to dampen and repose the body and paint can be removed or retouched.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2025
She opened the box and looked down on a small, dark green jade button, and carved on its surface was a human right hand, a lovely hand, the fingers curved and in repose.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
"Any diversion or embezzlement of funds constitutes a profound betrayal of the faith reposed by millions of devotees in one of the most sacred institutions of Hindu faith."
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
“She expressed a desire to vote and told me a little about her philanthropic work. She reposed great faith and confidence in Mr. Leno and relied on him for her protection and guidance.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 2, 2024
Kumar's comments came after Adani said in a statement late on Sunday that its "strategic and long-term investors have reposed complete faith and confidence in the group".
From Reuters ● Jan. 30, 2023
Seattle’s charter says the mayor “shall direct and control all subordinate officers of the city, except insofar as such enforcement, direction and control is by this charter reposed in some other officer or board.”
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 4, 2021
Resting my head on Helen’s shoulder, I put my arms round her waist; she drew me to her, and we reposed in silence.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Monday’s trek rolled serenely past the Zenaruzza monastery and through hilly countryside under reposing blue skies, before crossing over into France.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2023
BJP workers celebrated the party’s showing in Gujarat state with the state’s top elected official, Bhupendra Patel, describing the win as “people reposing full faith in Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.”
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 8, 2022
Included in the notices were the access codes for family members to enter the individual rooms where the coffins of their relatives were reposing.
From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2021
A decrepit-looking vintage bread slicer stands near one of the front windows, reposing on a black-and-white tiled floor.
From New York Times ● Nov. 4, 2012
All the same, a little more fear leavened his exhilaration as he returned his attention to the sword reposing upon the bottom of the frozen pool.
From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling
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