repose Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
    ease; rest; relaxation.
    • took his repose by the swimming pool
  2. noun the absence of mental stress or anxiety
    peacefulness; peace; ataraxis; serenity; heartsease; peace of mind.
  3. noun a disposition free from stress or emotion
    tranquility; quiet; serenity; tranquillity; placidity.
  4. verb put or confide something in a person or thing
    • These philosophers reposed the law in the people
  5. verb be inherent or innate in;
    reside; rest.
  6. verb lie when dead
    • Mao reposes in his mausoleum
  7. verb lean in a comfortable resting position
    recumb; recline.
    • He was reposing on the couch
  8. verb put in a horizontal position
    lay; put down.
    • lay the books on the table
    • lay the patient carefully onto the bed
  9. verb to put something (eg trust) in something
    • The nation reposed its confidence in the King

WordNet

Re*pose" transitive verb
Etymology
F. reposer; L. pref. re- re- + pausare to pause. See Pause, Pose, v.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Reposed present participle & verbal noun Reposing
Definitions
  1. To cause to stop or to rest after motion; hence, to deposit; to lay down; to lodge; to reposit. Obs.
    But these thy fortunes let us straight repose In this divine cave's bosom. Chapman.
    Pebbles reposed in those cliffs amongst the earth . . . are left behind. Woodward.
  2. To lay at rest; to cause to be calm or quiet; to compose; to rest, -- often reflexive; as, to repose one's self on a couch.
    All being settled and reposed, the lord archibishop did present his majesty to the lords and commons. Fuller.
    After the toil of battle to repose Your wearied virtue. Milton.
  3. To place, have, or rest; to set; to intrust.
    The king reposeth all his confidence in thee. Shak.
Re*pose" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To lie at rest; to rest.
    Within a thicket I reposed. Chapman.
  2. Figuratively, to remain or abide restfully without anxiety or alarms.
    It is upon these that the soul may repose. I. Taylor.
  3. To lie; to be supported; as, trap reposing on sand. Syn. -- To lie; recline; couch; rest; sleep; settle; lodge; abide.
Re*pose" noun
Etymology
F. repos. See Repose, v.
Definitions
  1. A lying at rest; sleep; rest; quiet.
    Shake off the golden slumber of repose. Shak.
  2. Rest of mind; tranquillity; freedom from uneasiness; also, a composed manner or deportment.
  3. (Poetic) A rest; a pause.
  4. (Fine Arts) That harmony or moderation which affords rest for the eue; -- opposed to the scattering and division of a subject into too many unconnected parts, and also to anything which is overstrained; as, a painting may want repose. Syn. -- Rest; recumbency; reclination; ease; quiet; quietness; tranquillity; peace.

Webster 1913