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

To be sure, there are moments of relative repose.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the best Abel had ever done, a perfect representation of stupefied repose.

From Literature

The space feels somewhere between a crypt and a cathedral, featuring paintings and bronze sculptures of reclining Black bodies, spread out in repose or entombed like corpses, that appear to glow from within.

From New York Times

Even in a moment of relative repose, Clark possessed a feline hyper-awareness of her surroundings.

From New York Times

“She expressed a desire to vote and told me a little about her philanthropic work. She reposed great faith and confidence in Mr. Leno and relied on him for her protection and guidance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• inactivity
• stillness