I. rə̇ˈpōz, rēˈp- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reposen to replace, put back, irregular (influenced by such verbs as Middle English deposen to depose) from Latin reponere (perfect stem repos- ) — more at reposit
1. archaic : to put away or set down : deposit
2. : to place (as confidence or trust) : set — usually used with in
repose full confidence in their leader — T.B.Macaulay
the complete trust reposed in him and his policies — Newsweek
3. : to place for control, management, or use
reposes the judicial power in a supreme court — American Guide Series: Louisiana
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reposen, from Middle French reposer, from Old French, from Late Latin repausare, from Latin re- + Late Latin pausare to stop, rest — more at pause
transitive verb
1.
a. : to lay at rest : place in a restful or resting position : rest
upon that cottage bench reposed his limbs — William Wordsworth
b. : to give rest to : refresh by rest
enter in the castle and there repose you for the night — Shakespeare
2. : to cause to be calm or quiet : compose
extraordinarily difficult to repose a man whose leg troubled him, whose war troubled him, whose bank troubled him and whose wife troubled him — Francis Hackett
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to lie at rest
during the hot afternoon, the entire town reposes
b. : to lie dead
reposing in state
c. : to remain still or concealed : lie quiet or hidden
under the soil … there repose vastly greater quantities of raw materials — F.C.James
the existence of similar sunken lands now reposing on the bottom of the Pacific — J.F.McComas
2. : to take rest : cease from activity, exertion, or movement
she did not repose ; she could not … she sat thinking — Arnold Bennett
3. archaic : to rest in confidence : rely
upon whose faith and honor I repose — Shakespeare
4. : to rest for support : lie — usually used with on or upon
cutting generous portions with a huge knife from the loaf reposing on a round wooden base — Sidney Lovett
medieval justice reposed so greatly on the system of fines — G.G.Coulton
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French repos, from Old French, from reposer, v.
1.
a. : a state of resting after exertion or strain : temporary mental or physical inactivity used to restore vigor ; especially : rest in sleep
a little feast that would make other men heavy and desirous of repose — Willa Cather
earned one's night's repose — H.A.Overstreet
b. : relief from excitement, danger, or difficulty : restful change : relaxation
where at last he could find warmth and the brief, treacherous repose of dissipation — J.T.Soby
2.
a. : a place or state of rest ; especially : eternal or heavenly rest
to pray for the repose of a soul
b. : freedom from something that disturbs or excites : calm , peace , tranquillity
the unfailing repose of the bayou — Christian Science Monitor
induce a sense of repose and contentment — S.P.B.Mais
c. : a harmony in the disposition of parts and colors that is restful to the eye
his painting was criticized as lacking repose
3.
a. : quiescence
the volcano was in repose
b. : cessation or absence of activity, movement, or animation
his face in repose is grave and thoughtful — R.C.Doty
repose again freezes the burning features of his face — C.L.Sulzberger
4. : composure of manner : quiet dignity : easiness , poise
Synonyms: see rest