rest

[ rest ]

/ rɛst /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR rest ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep: a good night's rest.

refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor: to allow an hour for rest.

relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs.

a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity: to go away for a rest.

mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity.

the repose of death: eternal rest.

cessation or absence of motion: to bring a machine to rest.

Music.

an interval of silence between tones.
a mark or sign indicating it.

Prosody. a short pause within a line; caesura.

a place that provides shelter or lodging for travelers, as an inn.

any stopping or resting place: a roadside rest for weary hikers.

a piece or thing for something to rest on: a hand rest.

a supporting device; support.

Billiards, Pool. bridge¹(def 14).

verb (used without object)

to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing.

to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor.

to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace.

to repose in death.

to be quiet or still.

to cease from motion, come to rest; stop.

to become or remain inactive.

to stay as is or remain without further action or notice: to let a matter rest.

to lie, sit, lean, or be set: His arm rested on the table.

Agriculture. to lie fallow or unworked: to let land rest.

to be imposed as a burden or responsibility (usually followed by on or upon).

to rely (usually followed by on or upon).

to be based or founded (usually followed by on or upon).

to be found; belong; reside (often followed by with): The blame rests with them.

to be present; dwell; linger (usually followed by on or upon): A sunbeam rests upon the altar.

to be fixed or directed on something, as the eyes, a gaze, etc.

Law. to terminate voluntarily the introduction of evidence in a case.

verb (used with object)

to give rest to; refresh with rest: to rest oneself.

to lay or place for rest, ease, or support: to rest one's back against a tree.

to direct (as the eyes): to rest one's eyes on someone.

to base, or let depend, as on some ground of reliance.

to bring to rest; halt; stop.

Law. to terminate voluntarily the introduction of evidence on: to rest one's case.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!

Question 1 of 7

weal

well-being, prosperity, or happiness.

the intervening time.

a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.

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Idioms for rest

at rest,

in a state of repose, as in sleep.
dead.
quiescent; inactive; not in motion: the inertia of an object at rest.
free from worry; tranquil: Nothing could put his mind at rest.

lay to rest,

to inter (a dead body); bury: He was laid to rest last Thursday.
to allay, suppress, or appease.

Origin of rest

before 900; (noun) Middle English, Old English; akin to German Rast; (v.) Middle English resten, Old English restan; akin to German rasten

SYNONYMS FOR rest

7 stop, halt, standstill.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR rest ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM rest

rest·er, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rest

rest wrest

Words nearby rest

responsor, responsory, responsum, respray, ressentiment, rest, rest area, rest assured, rest cure, rest energy, rest home

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for at rest (1 of 2)

rest¹

/ (rɛst) /

noun

relaxation from exertion or labour
(as modifier)a rest period

repose; sleep

any relief or refreshment, as from worry or something troublesome

calm; tranquillity

death regarded as reposeeternal rest

cessation from motion

at rest

not moving; still
calm; tranquil
dead
asleep

a pause or interval

a mark in a musical score indicating a pause of specific duration

prosody a pause in or at the end of a line; caesura

a shelter or lodginga seaman's rest

a thing or place on which to put something for support or to steady it; prop

billiards snooker any of various special poles used as supports for the cue in shots that cannot be made using the hand as a support

come to rest to slow down and stop

lay to rest to bury (a dead person)

set someone's mind at rest to reassure someone or settle someone's mind

verb

to take or give rest, as by sleeping, lying down, etc

to place or position (oneself, etc) for rest or relaxation

(tr) to place or position for support or steadyingto rest one's elbows on the table

(intr) to be at ease; be calm

to cease or cause to cease from motion or exertion; halt

to lie dead and buried

(intr) to remain without further attention or actionlet the matter rest

to direct (one's eyes) or (of one's eyes) to be directedher eyes rested on the sleeping child

to depend or cause to depend; base; relythe whole argument rests on one crucial fact

to place or be placed, as blame, censure, etc

to put pastry in a cool place to allow the gluten to contract

(intr ; foll by with, on, upon, etc) to be a responsibility (of)it rests with us to apportion blame

law to finish the introduction of evidence in (a case)

rest on one's laurels See laurel (def. 9)

rest on one's oars

to stop rowing for a time
to stop doing anything for a time

Derived forms of rest

rester, noun

Word Origin for rest

Old English ræst, reste, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic rasta a mile, Old Norse röst mile

British Dictionary definitions for at rest (2 of 2)

rest²

/ (rɛst) /

noun the rest

something left or remaining; remainder

the othersthe rest of the world

verb

(copula) to continue to be (as specified); remainrest assured

Word Origin for rest

C15: from Old French rester to remain, from Latin rēstāre, from re- + stāre to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for at rest

rest

[ rĕst ]

n.

Cessation of work, exertion, or activity.

Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity.

Sleep or quiet relaxation.

Mental or emotional tranquillity.

A device used as a support, as for the back.

A group of embryonic cells or a portion of fetal tissue that has become displaced during development.

An extension from a prosthesis that gives vertical support to a dental restoration.

v.

To cease motion, work, or activity.

To lie down, especially to sleep.

To be supported or based; lie, lean, or sit.

Idioms and Phrases with at rest (1 of 2)

at rest

In a state of inactivity or repose, either physical or mental. For example, The doctor's clear explanation put her mind at rest. Chaucer used this idiom in Troilus and Cressida (c. 1374): “I mine heart set at rest upon this point.” Also see lay at rest.

Dead, as in His soul is now at rest with his forebears. This usage, employing rest to refer to death's repose, is less common today. [1300s]

Idioms and Phrases with at rest (2 of 2)

rest

In addition to the idioms beginning with rest

rest assured
rest on one's laurels

also see:

at rest
lay at rest
lay to rest
set one's mind at rest

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rest