repose

[ ri-pohz ]

See synonyms for: repose re-posed re-posing reposed on Thesaurus.com

noun

the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.
peace; tranquility; calm: rare moments of utter repose.

dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.
absence of movement, animation, etc.: When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.

verb (used without object),re·posed, re·pos·ing.

to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
to lie dead: His body will repose in the chapel for two days.

to be peacefully calm and quiet: The sea reposed under the tropical sun.
to lie or rest on something.
Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.

verb (used with object),re·posed, re·pos·ing.

to lay at rest; rest; refresh by rest (often used reflexively).

Origin of repose

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)

Other words from repose

re·pos·ed·ly [ri-poh-zid-lee], /rɪˈpoʊ zɪd li/, adverb
re·pos·ed·ness, noun
re·pos·er, noun

Words that may be confused with repose

re-pose, repose

Words Nearby repose

Other definitions for repose (2 of 3)

repose²

[ ri-pohz ]

verb (used with object),re·posed, re·pos·ing.

to put (confidence, trust, etc.) in a person or thing.
to put under the authority or at the disposal of a person.

Archaic. to deposit.

Origin of repose

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-, pose¹

Other definitions for re-pose (3 of 3)

re-pose

[ ree-pohz ]

verb (used with or without object),re-posed, re-pos·ing.

to pose again.

Origin of re-pose

re- + pose¹

Words that may be confused with re-pose

re-pose , repose

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use repose in a sentence

What he charts for us is the landscape of a tortured soul, where every avenue of repose or diversion — the chairs, the swing — is eventually removed, and he is left entirely alone.
Akram Khan delivers a powerful indictment of war in ‘Xenos’ at the Kennedy Center | Sarah Kaufman | November 19, 2021 | Washington Post
Together, they define a huge chunk of the state, tying together a ragtag bunch of quaint towns, a sneaky-good cold-weather wine region, and a vibe that oscillates between pastoral repose and artistic flair.
An Eater’s Guide to the Finger Lakes | Taylor Tobin | October 22, 2021 | Eater
For example, the wooden casket lying in repose at the Supreme Court and in state at the Capitol remained firmly shut.
In Death, As In Life, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Balanced Being American And Jewish | LGBTQ-Editor | September 25, 2020 | No Straight News
Now, however, microbiology in particular is discovering that there is no reposing, solid core within us, but rather a lurking void around which life’s dance unfurls.
What the Meadow Teaches Us - Issue 90: Something Green | Andreas Weber | September 16, 2020 | Nautilus
The other, Sophie Berthelot, was allowed in so she could repose in aeternum next to her spouse, the chemist Marcellin.
France Honors Women … Finally | Katie Baker | February 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

And those in the middle mostly plow ahead, refreshed by the repose of spirit or soul so hard to find at the top or the bottom.
The Music Industry Is Dying? Great | James Poulos | December 26, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
This is a still from a 2008 video called "repose (on the Plinthe)", by Vancouver artist Adad Hannah.
Reflecting on Genius | Blake Gopnik | October 18, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
When the action summits, and when the characters are in a state of repose.
Benjamin Percy: How I Write | Noah Charney | June 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Hillary Clinton seemed to be in a rare moment of repose while the Middle East erupted.
Hillary Clinton’s War for Women’s Rights | Gayle Tzemach Lemmon | March 6, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Tausig possessed this repose in a technical way, and his touch was marvellous; but he never drew the tears to your eyes.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy Fay
John was baptizing at a large pool called Ænon-by-Saleim,—probably allegorical, meaning “Fountain of repose.”
Solomon and Solomonic Literature | Moncure Daniel Conway
This is often of great advantage, as the strength of repose is expressed to a great degree in restraint of movement.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge Southwick
What reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself—not safe from the extravagance and pillage of its own members?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. | Various
He was scared from the world by its vices; and sometimes longed to repose his wearied spirit in the grave.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane Porter

British Dictionary definitions for repose (1 of 2)

repose¹

/ (rɪˈpəʊz) /

noun

a state of quiet restfulness; peace or tranquillity
dignified calmness of manner; composure

verb

to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest
(intr) to lie when dead, as in the grave

(intr ; foll by on, in, etc) formal to take support (from) or be based (on): your plan reposes on a fallacy

Origin of repose

C15: from Old French reposer, from Late Latin repausāre from re- + pausāre to stop; see pause

Derived forms of repose

reposal, noun
reposer, noun
reposeful, adjective
reposefully, adverb
reposefulness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for repose (2 of 2)

repose²

/ (rɪˈpəʊz) /

verb(tr)

to put (trust or confidence) in a person or thing
to place or put (an object) somewhere

Origin of repose

C15: from Latin repōnere to store up, from re- + pōnere to put

Derived forms of repose

reposal, noun

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

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