repose

¹

[ ri-pohz ]

noun

1. the state of resting or being at rest; sleep.
2. peace; tranquility; calm:

   rare moments of utter repose.

3. dignified calmness, as of manner; composure.
4. absence of movement, animation, etc.:

   When in repose, her face recalls the Mona Lisa.

verb (used without object)

, re·posed, re·pos·ing.

1. to lie or be at rest, as from work, activity, etc.
2. to lie dead:

   His body will repose in the chapel for two days.

3. to be peacefully calm and quiet:

   The sea reposed under the tropical sun.

4. to lie or rest on something.
5. Archaic. to depend or rely on a person or thing.

verb (used with object)

, re·posed, re·pos·ing.

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

repose

²

[ ri-pohz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·posed, re·pos·ing.

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

repose

¹

/ rɪˈpəʊz /

noun

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

verb

1. to place (oneself or one's body) in a state of quiet relaxation; lie or lay down at rest
2. intr to lie when dead, as in the grave
3. formal.
   intr; foll by on, in, etc to take support (from) or be based (on)

   your plan reposes on a fallacy

repose

²

/ rɪˈpəʊz /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• reˈposal, noun
• reˈposefully, adverb
• reˈposefulness, noun
• reˈposeful, adjective
• reˈposer, noun
• reˈposal, noun

Other Words From

• re·pos·ed·ly [ri-, poh, -zid-lee], adverb
• re·pos·ed·ness noun
• re·pos·er noun

Word History and Origins

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; re-, pose ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repose¹

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

Origin of repose²

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

Example Sentences

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.

From 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.

From Eater

For example, the wooden casket lying in repose at the Supreme Court and in state at the Capitol remained firmly shut.

From 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.

From Nautilus

The other, Sophie Berthelot, was allowed in so she could repose in aeternum next to her spouse, the chemist Marcellin.

From 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.

From The Daily Beast

This is a still from a 2008 video called "Repose (on the Plinthe)", by Vancouver artist Adad Hannah.

From The Daily Beast

When the action summits, and when the characters are in a state of repose.

From The Daily Beast

Hillary Clinton seemed to be in a rare moment of repose while the Middle East erupted.

From 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.

From Project Gutenberg

John was baptizing at a large pool called Ænon-by-Saleim,—probably allegorical, meaning “Fountain of Repose.”

From Project Gutenberg

This is often of great advantage, as the strength of repose is expressed to a great degree in restraint of movement.

From Project Gutenberg

What reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself—not safe from the extravagance and pillage of its own members?

From Project Gutenberg

He was scared from the world by its vices; and sometimes longed to repose his wearied spirit in the grave.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inactivity
• stillness