rest 1
— rester , n.
/rest/ , n.
1. the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep: a good night's rest.
2. refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor: to allow an hour for rest.
3. relief or freedom, esp. from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs.
4. a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquillity: to go away for a rest.
5. mental or spiritual calm; tranquillity.
6. the repose of death: eternal rest.
7. cessation or absence of motion: to bring a machine to rest.
8. Music.
a. an interval of silence between tones.
b. a mark or sign indicating it.
9. Pros. a short pause within a line; caesura.
10. a place that provides shelter or lodging for travelers, as an inn.
11. any stopping or resting place: a roadside rest for weary hikers.
12. a piece or thing for something to rest on: a hand rest.
13. a supporting device; support.
14. Billiards , Pool. bridge 1 (def. 14).
15. at rest ,
a. in a state of repose, as in sleep.
b. dead.
c. quiescent; inactive; not in motion: the inertia of an object at rest.
d. free from worry; tranquil: Nothing could put his mind at rest.
16. lay to rest ,
a. to inter (a dead body); bury: He was laid to rest last Thursday.
b. to allay, suppress, or appease.
v.i.
17. to refresh oneself, as by sleeping, lying down, or relaxing.
18. to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion or labor.
19. to be at ease; have tranquillity or peace.
20. to repose in death.
21. to be quiet or still.
22. to cease from motion, come to rest; stop.
23. to become or remain inactive.
24. to stay as is or remain without further action or notice: to let a matter rest.
25. to lie, sit, lean, or be set: His arm rested on the table.
26. Agric. to lie fallow or unworked: to let land rest.
27. to be imposed as a burden or responsibility (usually fol. by on or upon ).
28. to rely (usually fol. by on or upon ).
29. to be based or founded (usually fol. by on or upon ).
30. to be found; belong; reside (often fol. by with ): The blame rests with them.
31. to be present; dwell; linger (usually fol. by on or upon ): A sunbeam rests upon the altar.
32. to be fixed or directed on something, as the eyes, a gaze, etc.
33. Law. to terminate voluntarily the introduction of evidence in a case.
v.t.
34. to give rest to; refresh with rest: to rest oneself.
35. to lay or place for rest, ease, or support: to rest one's back against a tree.
36. to direct (as the eyes): to rest one's eyes on someone.
37. to base, or let depend, as on some ground of reliance.
38. to bring to rest; halt; stop.
39. Law. to terminate voluntarily the introduction of evidence on: to rest one's case.
[ bef. 900; (n.) ME, OE; akin to G Rast; (v.) ME resten, OE restan; akin to G rasten ]
Syn. 7. stop, halt, standstill.
rest 2
/rest/ , n.
1. the part that is left or remains; remainder: The rest of the students are in the corridor.
2. the others: All the rest are going.
3. Brit. Banking. surplus (defs. 1, 2).
v.i.
4. to continue to be; remain as specified: Rest assured that all is well.
[ 1375-1425; (v.) late ME resten to remain due or unpaid rester to remain restare to remain standing, equiv. to re- RE- + stare to STAND; (n.) late ME reste, n. deriv. of rester ]
rest 3
/rest/ , n. Armor.
a support for a lance; lance rest.
[ 1490-1500; aph. var. of ARREST ]