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)

reposed, reposing 

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)

reposed, reposing 

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

repose

²

[ri-pohz]

verb (used with object)

reposed, reposing 

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

Other Word Forms

• reposal noun
• reposefully adverb
• reposefulness noun
• reposeful adjective
• reposer noun
• reposedly adverb
• reposedness 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

On Friday, hundreds gathered in the village to pay respect to Ms Whyte and her children as they lay in repose together.

From BBC

While her maybe-beau stays forced in repose, Iris cycles through all the different types of women she could be.

From Salon

Water can be used to dampen and repose the body and paint can be removed or retouched.

From Los Angeles Times

Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.

From BBC

Considering that this basin of ours is encircled by mountains, and mountains keep leaning toward their angle of repose even without any help from earthquakes, it’s not surprising that gold makes repeated appearances.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inactivity www.thesaurus.com
• stillness