repose

present singular third person reposes · participle present reposing · participle past reposed · past reposed · first person past singular reposed · archaic present second person singular reposest · past second person singular reposed · archaic past second person singular reposedst · present singular third person reposes · archaic present singular third person reposeth · past singular third person reposed · past plural reposed · past subjunctive reposed · participle present reposing · participle past reposed

1. alsoarchaicfigurativelytransitiveTo lay (someone, or part of their body) down to rest.

   [T]he eyes clos'd— / The lashes on the cheeks repos'd.

   1852, [Matthew] A[rnold], “Tristram and Iseult. I. Tristram.”, in Empedocles on Etna, and Other Poems, London: B. Fellowes, […], page 126

   5 more examples

   The Sea-god Glaucus […] Repoſd his head vpon my faintfull knée: […]

   1589, Thomas Lodge, “The Most Pithie and Pleasant Historie of Glaucus and Silla”, in Scillaes Metamorphosis: Enterlaced with the Unfortunate Loue of Glaucus. […], London: […] Richard Jhones, […], →OCLC, signature A2, recto

   I could mock the ſultry Toil, / VVhen on my Charmer's Breaſt repos'd.

   1728, [John] Gay, The Beggar’s Opera. […], London: […] John Watts, […], →OCLC, Act I, scene vi, page 17

   VVha's ain dear laſs, that he likes beſt, / Comes clinkin dovvn beſide him! / VVi' arm repos'd on the chair-back, / He ſvveetly does compoſe him; […]

   1786, Robert Burns, “The Holy Fair”, in Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. […], 2nd edition, volume I, Edinburgh: […] T[homas] Cadell, […], and William Creech, […], published 1793, →OCLC, stanza XI, page 42

   A hundred times hast thou said, when, wearied with thy labours and oppressed by thy troubles, thou reposedst thy head familiarly on my breast, 'Would that I could die in this bosom!'

   1850, Thomas H[enry] Dyer, chapter XV, in The Life of John Calvin. […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 516

   Mrs. Peters reposed her 200 pounds on the safer of the two chairs and gazed stolidly out the one window at the brick wall opposite.

   1903–1906, O. Henry [pseudonym; William Sydney Porter], “The Harbinger”, in The Voice of the City, complete edition, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Doran & Company, published 1908, →OCLC, page 49

2. archaicreflexivetransitiveTo rest (oneself), especially by going to sleep.

   Now may I repoſe me; Cuſtance is mine owne.

   c. 1552 (date written), Nicholas Udall, [Ralph Roister Doister], [London]: [s.n.], published 1566?; republished as Edward Arber, editor, Roister Doister. […] (English Reprints), London: Muir & Paterson, […], 24 July 1869, →OCLC, Act I, scene iiii, page 30

   2 more examples

   In peace and honour reſt you here my ſonnes, / Roomes readieſt Champions, repoſe you here in reſt, / Secure from vvorldly chaunces and miſhaps: […]

   c. 1588–1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Most Lamentable Romaine Tragedie of Titus Andronicus: […] (First Quarto), London: […] Iohn Danter, and are to be sold by Edward White & Thomas Millington, […], published 1594, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], signature B, verso

   [T]he great Creator hath likevviſe ſignalized his Care and Skill, by giving Animals an architectonick Faculty, to build themſelves convenient places of Retirement, in vvhich to repoſe and ſecure themſelves, and to nurſe up their Young.

   1713, W[illiam] Derham, “[A Survey of the Terraqueous Globe.] Of the Houses, and Habitations of Animals.”, in Physico-Theology: Or, A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, from His Works of Creation. […], London: […] W[illiam] Innys, […], →OCLC, book IV (Of Animals in General), page 226

3. archaicreflexivetransitiveFollowed by from or (obsolete) of: to cause (oneself) to take a rest from some activity; also, to allow (oneself) to recover from some activity.

   [S]he begged I vvould retire into a chamber, and repoſe myſelf from the uncommon fatigues I muſt have undergone; […]

   1753, [Tobias Smollett], “The History of the Noble Castilian”, in The Adventures of Ferdinand Count Fathom. […], volume I, London: […] W. Johnston, […], →OCLC, page 175

   1 more example

   [A]lthough they ſeme as holidaymenne, to repoſe theymſelfes from all corporall buſineſſe: yet they dooe more good then the others, becauſe they doe the thyng moſt chiefly requiſite to be doen.

   1549 February 10 (Gregorian calendar; indicated as 1548), Erasmus, “The Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Ghospell of S. Luke. The .x. Chapter.”, in Nicolas Udall [i.e., Nicholas Udall], transl., The First Tome or Volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testamente, London: […] Edwarde Whitchurche, →OCLC, folio cv, verso

4. alsofigurativelyobsoletetransitiveTo give (someone) rest; to refresh (someone) by giving rest.

   On the twentieth of June he [Johann de Kalb] entered North Carolina, and halted at Hillsborough to repose his wayworn soldiers.

   1874, George Bancroft, “War in the South: Cornwallis and Gates. 1780.”, in History of the United States, from the Discovery of the American Continent, volume X (The American Revolution. Epoch Fourth Continued. […]), Boston, Mass.: Little, Brown and Company, →OCLC, page 315

   3 more examples

   [H]ave ye chos'n this place / After the toyl of Battel to repoſe / Your wearied vertue, for the eaſe you find / To ſlumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?

   1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 318–321

   VVhoſe Cauſe-vvay parts the vale vvith ſhady rovvs? / VVhoſe ſeats the vveary Traveller repoſe? / VVho feeds yon Alms-houſe, neat, but void of ſtate, / VVhere Age and VVant ſit ſmiling at the gate?

   1733 (indicated as 1732), [Alexander] Pope, Of the Use of Riches, an Epistle to the Right Honourable Allen Lord Bathurst, London: […] J. Wright, for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC, page 13

   [D]istant banks of purple mist coloured the liquid plain with a cool green-blue, a celadon tint that reposed the eye and the brain.

   1876, Richard F[rancis] Burton, “To Sánga-Tánga and Back”, in Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo. […], part I (The Gaboon River and Gorilla Land), London: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, and Searle, […], →OCLC, page 125

5. obsoletereflexivetransitiveTo cause (oneself) to have faith in or rely on someone or something.

   That he conſents, if VVarvvicke yeeld conſent, / For on thy fortune I repoſe my ſelfe.

   c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii], page 168, column 1

   1 more example

   I come to your houſe; I riſk my life; I paſs it in ennui; I repoſe myſelf on your fidelity; […]

   1852, William Makepeace Thackeray, “Our Guest Quits Us as Not Being Hospitable Enough”, in The History of Henry Esmond, Esq. […] , volume III, London: […] Smith, Elder, & Company, […], →OCLC, page 277

6. obsoleteraretransitiveTo give (someone) accommodation for the night.
7. alsofigurativelyintransitiveTo lean or recline, sit down, or lie down to rest; to rest.

   [H]is right Cheeke / Repoſing on a Cuſhion.

   1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene ii], page 389, column 1

   5 more examples

   Though then, the Lords deep VViſedome, to this day, / VVork in the VVorlds vncertain-certain Svvay: / Yet muſt vve credit that his hand compos'd / All in ſix Dayes, and that He then Repos'd; / By his example, giving vs beheſt, / On the Seaventh Day for evermore to Reſt.

   1608, [Guillaume de Salluste] Du Bartas, “[Du Bartas His First Week, or Birth of the World: […].] The Seaventh Daie of the First Week.”, in Josuah Sylvester, transl., Du Bartas His Deuine Weekes and Workes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Humfrey Lownes [and are to be sold by Arthur Iohnson […]], published 1611, →OCLC, page 185

   If you be pleas'd, retire into my Cell, / And there repoſe, a turne or tvvo, […]

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 15

   Then the divine night came, and treading earth, / Close by the flood that had from Jove her birth, / Within a thicket I repos’d; […]

   1614–1615, Homer, “The Seventh Book of Homer’s Odysseys”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume I, London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC, page 165, lines 393–395

   Still is the toiling hand of Care: / The panting herds repoſe: / Yet hark, hovv thro' the peopled air / The buſy murmur glovvs!

   1753, T[homas] Gray, “Ode”, in Designs by Mr. R[ichard] Bentley, for Six Poems by Mr. T. Gray, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], →OCLC, page 2

   At night when I reposed, fair dreams did pass / Before my pillow;— […]

   1817 December (indicated as 1818), Percy B[ysshe] Shelley, “Canto Fourth”, in Laon and Cythna; or, The Revolution of the Golden City: A Vision of the Nineteenth Century. […], London: […] [F]or Sherwood, Neely, & Jones, […]; and C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier, […]; by B[uchanan] M‘Millan, […], →OCLC, stanza XXXIII, page 91

   1. alsofigurativelyintransitivechiefly Eastern OrthodoxyTo die, to rest in peace.

      Simon reposed in the year 1287.

      1 more example

      Lord Jesus, who at the hour of Compline reposedst in the tomb, and wast bewailed by thy most sorrowful Mother, and by other women; make us, we beseech thee, with true tears, to bewail thy most holy Passion, and never to give place to the things by which thou wouldst be crucified again.

      [1850], James Merlo Horstius, “Litany of the Life and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ”, in [anonymous], transl., The Paradise of the Christian Soul, […], London: Burns & Lambert, […], →OCLC, part VI (On the Life and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ), page 460, column 2

8. intransitiveFollowed by on or upon: of a thing: to lie or be physically positioned on something, especially horizontally; to rest on or be supported by something.

   a trap reposing on sand

   1 more example

   On the table reposed a nut cake which she had baked that morning . . . a particularly toothsome concoction iced with pink icing and adorned with walnuts.

   1909 September, L[ucy] M[aud] Montgomery, “Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure”, in Anne of Avonlea, Boston, Mass.: L[ouis] C[oues] Page & Company, →OCLC, page 22

9. intransitiveFollowed by on or upon: of light, a look, etc.: to fall or rest (and often remain for a while) on something; to alight, to dwell.

   For on such things the memory reposes / With tenderness,— […]

   1819 July 15, [Lord Byron], Don Juan, London: […] Thomas Davison, […], →OCLC, canto II, stanza LVIII, page 148

   2 more examples

   [T]he grate did then unclose, / And on that reverend form the moonlight did repose.

   1817 December (indicated as 1818), Percy B[ysshe] Shelley, “Canto Third”, in Laon and Cythna; or, The Revolution of the Golden City: A Vision of the Nineteenth Century. […], London: […] [F]or Sherwood, Neely, & Jones, […]; and C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier, […]; by B[uchanan] M‘Millan, […], →OCLC, stanza XXVIII, page 71

   Here there was the brown, breezy sweep of surrounding fields for the eye to repose on; here the trees, leafless as they were, still varied the monotony of the prospect, and helped the mind to look forward to summer time and shade.

   1859 November 26 – 1860 August 25, [William] Wilkie Collins, “Hartright’s Narrative”, in The Woman in White. […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], published 1860, →OCLC, part II, section VIII, page 206, column 2

10. intransitiveFollowed by on or upon: to be based on; to depend or rely on.

    The ſoul repoſing on aſſur'd relief, / Feels herſelf happy amidſt all her grief, / Forgets her labour as ſhe toils along, / VVeeps tears of joy, and burſts into a ſong.

    1781 (date written), William Cowper, “Truth”, in Poems, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1782, →OCLC, page 96

    1 more example

    Lord Bolingbroke [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke] may have publiſhed in French a ſketch of his Reflections on Exile: but his reputation novv repoſes on the addreſs of Voltaire, "Docte ſermones utriuſque linguæ;" and by his Engliſh dedication to Queen Caroline, and his Eſſay on Epic Poetry, it ſhould ſeem that Voltaire himſelf vviſhed to deſerve a return of the ſame compliment.

    a. 1795 (date written), Edward Gibbon, “Memoirs of My Life and Writings”, in John Lord Sheffield [i.e., John Baker Holroyd, 1st Earl of Sheffield], editor, Miscellaneous Works of Edward Gibbon, Esquire. […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Strahan, and T[homas] Cadell Jun. and W[illiam] Davies, (successors to Mr. [Thomas] Cadell), […], published 1796, →OCLC, pages 93–94

11. alsoarchaicfigurativelyintransitiveTo cease activity to rest or recover; also, to have a period free from activity or disturbance.

    From the Leila and Majnun of Nizami. […] Thou wert agitated like the sand of the desert; but now thou reposest as the water of the lake.

    1817 September 30, Vans Kennedy, “III. An Essay on Persian Literature.”, in Transactions of The Literary Society of Bombay, volume II, London: […] [Richard and Arthur Taylor] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, […]; and John Murray, […], published 1820, →OCLC, page 92

    1 more example

    By the forests, lakes, and fountains / Thro' the many-folded mountains; / To the rents, and gulphs, and chasms, / Where the Earth reposed from spasms, […]

    1818–1819 (date written), Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Prometheus Unbound”, in Prometheus Unbound […], London: C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier […], published 1820, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, pages 71–72

12. intransitiveobsoleteTo have faith in; to confide, to trust.

    I do deſire thy vvorthy company, / Vpon vvhoſe faith and honor, I repoſe.

    c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 34

    2 more examples

    In queſtions difficult or dangerous, it is indeed natural to repoſe upon authority, and, vvhen fear happens to predominate, upon the authority of thoſe vvhom vve do not generally think vviſer than ourſelves.

    1751 July 12 (Gregorian calendar), Samuel Johnson, “No. 135. Monday, July 2. 1751.”, in The Rambler, volume VI, Edinburgh: […] Sands, Murray, and Cochran; sold by W. Gordon, C. Wright, J. Yair, […], published 1751, →OCLC, pages 23–24

    We can come home to nothing in our survey of human nature, but to the affections and moral emotions, which are not subservient; and are not governed by ulterior motives. It is upon these that the soul may repose.

    1832, [Isaac Taylor], “The State of Souls”, in Saturday Evening. […], London: Holdsworth and Ball, →OCLC, pages 396–397

13. intransitiveliteraryobsoletepoeticTo lie still and unmoving.

    When the centuries behind me like a fruitful land reposed; / When I clung to all the present for the promise that it closed: […]

    1835, Alfred Tennyson, “Locksley Hall”, in Poems. […], volume II, London: Edward Moxon, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 93

    2 more examples

    [T]he Pebles, Pyritæ, Amber, or other like Nodules, vvhich happened to be repoſed in thoſe Cliffs, amongſt the Earth ſo beaten dovvn, being hard, and not ſo diſſoluble, and likevviſe more bulky and ponderous, are left behind upon the Shores, being impeded, and ſecured, by that their bulk and vveight, from being born along vvith the Terreſtrial Matter into the Sea.

    1695, John Woodward, “Part IV. Of the Origin and Formation of Metalls and Minerals.”, in An Essay toward a Natural History of the Earth: And Terrestrial Bodies, Especially Minerals: […], London: […] Ric[hard] Wilkin […], →OCLC, page 220

    [H]er dark and deepening eyes, / Which, as twin phantoms of one star that lies / O'er a dim well, move, though the star reposes, / Swam in our mute and liquid ecstasies, […]

    1817 December (indicated as 1818), Percy B[ysshe] Shelley, “Canto Sixth”, in Laon and Cythna; or, The Revolution of the Golden City: A Vision of the Nineteenth Century. […], London: […] [F]or Sherwood, Neely, & Jones, […]; and C[harles] and J[ames] Ollier, […]; by B[uchanan] M‘Millan, […], →OCLC, stanza XXXIII, page 144

plural reposes

1. uncountableTemporary cessation from activity to rest and recover, especially in the form of sleep; rest; (countable) an instance of this; a break, a rest; a sleep.

   So forth ſhe rode vvithout repoſe or reſt, / Searching all lands and each remoteſt part, […]

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto IV”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 6, page 445

   5 more examples

   Content thee Cytherea [i.e., Aphrodite] in thy care, / Since thy Æneas vvandring fate is firme, / VVhoſe vvearie lims ſhall ſhortly make repoſe, / In thoſe faire vvalles I promiſt him of yore: […]

   1594, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nash[e], The Tragedie of Dido Queene of Carthage: […], London: […] Widdowe Orwin, for Thomas Woodcocke, […], →OCLC, Act I, signature A3, recto

   My fathers Palace, Madam, vvill be proud / To entertaine your preſence, if youle daine / To make repoſe vvithin.

   c. 1599 (date written), I. M. [i.e., John Marston], The History of Antonio and Mellida. The First Part. […], London: […] [Richard Bradock] for Mathewe Lownes, and Thomas Fisher, […], published 1602, →OCLC, Act I, signature C2, verso

   From him that vveareth hyacinth, and beareth the crovvne, euen to him, that is couered vvith rude linen: furie, enuie, tumult, vvauering, and the feare of death, anger perſeuering, and contention, and in time of repoſe in bed, the ſleepe of night changeth his knowledge.

   1610, The Second Tome of the Holie Bible, […] (Douay–Rheims Bible), Doway: Laurence Kellam, […], →OCLC, Wisdom 15:4–6, page 431

   VVhiles vve ſtood here ſecuring your repoſe, / (Euen novv) vve heard a hollovv burſt of bellovving / Like Buls, or rather Lyons, did't not vvake you? / It ſtrooke mine eare moſt terribly.

   1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], page 9, column 1

   The Country King his peaceful Realm enjoys: / Cool Grots, and living Lakes, the Flovv'ry Pride / Of Meads, and Streams that thro' the Valley glide; / And ſhady Groves that eaſie Sleep invite, / And after toilſome Days, a ſvveet Repoſe at Night.

   1697, Virgil, “The Second Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 52, lines 660–664

   1. broadlyuncountableChristianityOf the Virgin Mary: death; also assumption into heaven.
   2. broadlycountableEastern OrthodoxyChristianityThe festival honouring the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, celebrated on August 15.
2. uncountableThe state of being peacefully inactive or relaxed, or being free from disturbances or worries; calmness, ease, peace, quietness.

   [T]he Felicity of this life, conſiſteth not in the repoſe of a mind ſatisfied.

   1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of the Difference of Manners”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […] [William Wilson] for Andrew Crooke, […], →OCLC, 1st part (Of Man), page 47

   3 more examples

   […] I am diverted from that subject by letters which I have received from several ladies, complaining of a certain sect of professed enemies to the repose of the fair sex, called Oglers.

   1710 March 24 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Monday, March 14, 1709–10”, in The Tatler, number 145; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume II, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822, →OCLC, page 340

   "So may thy lineage find at last repose," / I thus adjur'd him, "as thou solve this knot," / Which now involves my mind.

   1814, Dante Alighieri, “Canto X”, in H[enry] F[rancis] Cary, transl., The Vision; or, Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, of Dante Alighieri. […], volume I (Hell), London: […] [J. Barfield] for Taylor and Hessey, […], →OCLC, page 41, lines 93–95

   The air of wealth and repose diffused about them seemed to comfort their neediness.

   1916, James Joyce, chapter V, in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, New York, N.Y.: B[enjamin] W. Huebsch, →OCLC, page 288

   Synonyms: peace of mind, calmness, calm, quietism, even-mindedness, inner peace, presence of mind, peace

3. uncountableCalmness of the mind or temperament; composure.

   But lord! she goes with so blithe a repose, / And comes so shapely about you, / That ere you're aware, with a glance and an air, / She whisks your heart from out you.

   1815, Leigh Hunt, “[Translations, &c.] Song. (To the Air of ‘The De’il Came Fiddling through the Town.’).”, in The Feast of the Poets, […], 2nd edition, London: […] Gale and Fenner, […], →OCLC, page 172

   3 more examples

   She had the passions of her kind, / She spake some certain truths of you. / Indeed I heard one bitter word / That scarce is fit for you to hear. / Her manners had not that repose / Which stamps the caste of Vere de Vere.

   1842, Alfred Tennyson, “Lady Clara Vere de Vere”, in Poems. […], volume I, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 157

   Repose and cheerfulness are the badge of the gentleman,—repose in energy. The Greek battle-pieces are calm; the heroes, in whatever violent actions engaged, retain a serene aspect; as we say of Niagara, that it falls without speed.

   1860, R[alph] W[aldo] Emerson, “Essay IV. Culture.”, in The Conduct of Life, Boston, Mass.: Ticknor and Fields, →OCLC, page 138

   [T]here is in the Englishman a combination of qualities, a modesty, an independence, a responsibility, a repose, combined with an absence of everything calculated to call a blush into the cheek of a young person, which one would seek in vain among the Nations of the Earth.

   1864 May – 1865 November, Charles Dickens, “Podsnappery”, in Our Mutual Friend. […], volume I, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1865, →OCLC, 1st book (The Cup and the Lip), page 101

4. uncountableOf the face, a muscle, etc.: the state of being relaxed and not in tension.

   He has a handsome face, mind you, in repose.

   1916, James Joyce, chapter I, in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, New York, N.Y.: B[enjamin] W. Huebsch, →OCLC, page 33

   1 more example

   In repose the faces of the men were intelligent and dignified, those of the women ofttimes prepossessing.

   1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 126

5. uncountableThe state of lying still and unmoving; calmness, tranquillity; (countable) an instance of this.

   [H]e arose, / Ethereal, flush'd, and like a throbbing star / Seen mid the sapphire heaven's deep repose; […]

   1819, John Keats, “The Eve of St. Agnes”, in Lamia, Isabella, the Eve of St. Agnes, and Other Poems, London: […] [Thomas Davison] for Taylor and Hessey, […], published 1820, →OCLC, stanza XXXVI, page 101

   2 more examples

   But o'er the tvvilight groves, and dusky caves, / Long-ſounding iſles, and intermingled graves, / Black Melancholy ſits, and round her throvvs / A death-like ſilence, and a dread repose: […]

   1717, Alexander Pope, “Eloisa to Abelard”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, […], published 1717, →OCLC, page 425

   Over the whole landscape lay a repose and a peace so perfect that no one could have suspected the close proximity of the capital.

   1881, P. Chr. Asbjörnsen [i.e., Peter Christen Asbjørnsen], “A Summer Night in a Norwegian Forest”, in H. L. Brækstad, transl., Round the Yule Log. Norwegian Folk and Fairy Tales, London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, & Rivington, →OCLC, page 279

6. archaicuncountableRelief or respite from something exhausting or unpleasant; (countable) an instance of this.

   O Sole in whom my thoughts find all repoſe, / My Glorie, my Perfection, glad I ſee / Thy face, […]

   1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 28–30

   2 more examples

   I vvho lately ſang / Truth, Hope and Charity, and touch'd vvith avve / The ſolemn chords, and vvith a trembling hand, / Eſcap'd vvith pain from that advent'rous flight, / Novv ſeek repoſe upon an humbler theme; […]

   1785, William Cowper, “Book I. The Sofa.”, in The Task, a Poem, […], London: […] J[oseph] Johnson; […], →OCLC, page 1

   'Tis almost / Thirty-four years of nearly ceaseless warfare / With the Turk, or the powers of Italy; / The state had need of some repose.

   1821, Lord Byron, “The Two Foscari, an Historical Tragedy”, in Sardanapalus, a Tragedy; The Two Foscari, a Tragedy; Cain, a Mystery, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 204

7. archaicuncountableConfidence, faith, or trust in something.
8. uncountablearchitectureThe arrangement of elements of an artwork, a building, etc., that is restful and soothing to a viewer; harmony.

   VVe are to take occaſion as much as poſſibly vve can, […] to find the repoſe of vvhich vve ſpeak, by the Light and by the Shadovv, vvhich naturally accompany ſolid Bodies.

   1695, [Roger de Piles], “Observations on the Art of Painting of Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy”, in C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC, page 162

9. uncountablechemistryThe state of leaving something alone or untouched; (countable) an instance of this.
10. uncountableengineeringChiefly in the form point of repose, position of repose, etc.: absence of motion; equilibrium; (countable) a position where an object is not moving and at rest.
11. uncountablegeographyOf a natural phenomenon, especially the eruption of a volcano: the state of temporary cessation of activity; dormancy, quiescence.

    […] Vesuvius was virtually in repose, and the slow changes in the heaped white cloud above the crater were only like those of a thunder cloud.

    1887, John Ruskin, “Cumæ”, in Præterita. Outlines of Scenes and Thoughts Perhaps Worthy of Memory in My Past Life, volume II, Orpington, Kent: George Allen, →OCLC, page 87

    1 more example

    VVhile proudly riding o'er the azure realm / In gallant trim the gilded Veſſel goes; / Youth on the provv, and Pleaſure at the helm; / Regardleſs of the ſvveeping VVhirlvvind's ſvvay, / That, huſh'd in grim repoſe, expects his evening-prey.

    1755–1757 (date written), [Thomas] Gray, “Ode VI. The Bard. Pindaric.”, in The Poems of Mr. Gray. […], York, Yorkshire: […] A[nn] Ward; and sold by J[ames] Dodsley, […]; and J[ohn] Todd, […], published 1775, →OCLC, stanza II.2, page 31

12. countableobsoleteA piece of furniture on which one can rest, especially a couch or sofa.

    [S]he lay expecting her coming Lover, on a repoſe of rich Embroidery of Gold on blevv Sattin, […]

    1685, A[phra] B[ehn], “Silvia to Octavio”, in Love Letters from a Noble Man to His Sister: Mixt with the History of Their Adventures. The Second Part […], volume II, London: […] Randal Taylor, […], →OCLC, page 245

13. countableobsoleteA place of rest.

    [W]orſt is my Port, / My harbour and my ultimate repoſe, / The end I vvould attain, my final good.

    1671, John Milton, “The Third Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 65, lines 209–210

14. obsoleteuncountablepaintingThe technique of including in a painting an area or areas which are dark, indistinct, or soft in tone so that other areas are more prominent, or so that a viewer can rest they eyes when looking at them; (countable) such an area of a painting.

    1 more example

    [A]fter the great Lights, there muſt be great Shadovvs, vvhich vve call repoſes: becauſe in reality the Sight vvould be tired, if it vvere attracted by a Continuity of glittering objects. […] Theſe repoſes are made tvvo ſeveral vvays, one of vvhich is Natural, the other Artificial. The Natural is made by an extent of Lights or of Shadovvs; vvhich naturally and neceſſarily follovv ſolid Bodies, or the Maſſes of ſolid Bodies aggroupp'd vvhen the Light ſtrikes upon them. And the Artificial conſiſts in the Bodies of Colours, vvhich the Painter gives to certain things, ſuch as pleaſes him; and compoſes them in ſuch a manner, that they do no injury to the objects vvhich are near them. A Drapery, for example, vvhich is made yellovv or red on ſome certain place, in another place may be brovvn, and vvill be more ſuitable to it, to produce the effect requir'd.

    1695, [Roger de Piles], “Observations on the Art of Painting of Charles Alphonse du Fresnoy”, in C[harles] A[lphonse] du Fresnoy, translated by John Dryden, De Arte Graphica. The Art of Painting, […], London: […] J[ohn] Heptinstall for W. Rogers, […], →OCLC, pages 161–162

present singular third person reposes · participle present reposing · participle past reposed · past reposed · first person past singular reposed · archaic present second person singular reposest · past second person singular reposed · archaic past second person singular reposedst · present singular third person reposes · archaic present singular third person reposeth · past singular third person reposed · past plural reposed · past subjunctive reposed · participle present reposing · participle past reposed

1. Senses relating to placing or positioning.
   1. transitiveTo place (confidence, faith, or trust) in someone or something.

      Stay yet another day, thou truſtie VVelchman. / The king repoſeth all his confidence in thee.

      1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], signature E3, verso

      4 more examples

      Now woorthy Tamburlaine, haue I repoſ'd, / In thy approoued Fortunes all my hope, / VVhat thinkſt thou man, ſhal come of our attempts?

      c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire; London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act II, scene iii

      Long thus I ioyed in my happineſſe, / And vvell did hope my ioy vvoud haue no end: / But oh fond man, that in vvorlds fickleneſſe / Repoſeſt hope, or vveenedſt her thy frend, / That glories moſt in mortall miſeries, / And daylie doth her changefull counſels bend: / To make nevv matter fit for Tragedies.

      1591, Ed[mund] Sp[enser], Daphnaïda. An Elegy upon the Death of the Noble and Vertuous Douglas Howard,Daughter and Heire of Henry Lord Howard, Viscount Byndon, and Wife of Arthure Gorges Esquier. […], London: […] [Thomas Orwin] for William Ponsonby, […], →OCLC, signature B, verso

      In reuerence therefore of the hopes vvhich the Grecians haue repoſed in you, and of the preſence of Iupiter Olympius, in vvhoſe Temple here, vve are in a manner ſuppliants to you, receiue the Mitylenians into league, and ayde vs.

      1629, Thucydides, “The First Booke”, in Thomas Hobbes, transl., Eight Bookes of the Peloponnesian Warre […], London: […] Hen[ry] Seile, […], →OCLC, page 52

      [T]here is something to be considered beyond forms of government—national character. And herein mainly should we repose our hopes. If a nation be led to aim at the good and the great, depend upon it, whatever be its form, the government will respond to its convictions and its sentiments.

      1844, B[enjamin] Disraeli, chapter II, in Coningsby; or, The New Generation. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, book VII, page 100

   2. transitivechiefly passive voiceFollowed by in: to entrust (duty, power, etc.) in someone; to confide.

      His greatest defect was the facility with which he reposed the cares of state on favorites, not always the most deserving.

      1838, William H[ickling] Prescott, “Conquest of Navarre. 1512–1513.”, in History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic. […], volume III, Boston, Mass.: American Stationers’ Company; John B. Russell, →OCLC, 2nd part (1493–1517), page 354

   3. archaictransitiveTo place (something), especially for safekeeping or storage; to deposit, to keep safe, to store.

      But these thy fortunes let us straight repose / In this divine cave's bosom, that may close / Reserve their value; […]

      1614–1615, Homer, “The Thirteenth Book of Homer’s Odysseys”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615, →OCLC; republished in The Odysseys of Homer, […], volume II, London: John Russell Smith, […], 1857, →OCLC, page 19, lines 545–547

      3 more examples

      When Christ affirmeth, that "where a mans treasure is, there is his heart:" by treasure, he meaneth not the possession of riches simply, but hee meaneth that, wherein a man reposeth his chiefe treasure and felicitie to consist. […] He that reposeth his felicitie in building, giueth ouer his cogitations vnto that.

      1589, Thomas Cooper, “Proofes out of the Newe Testament against the Rich Liuings of Bishops”, in An Admonition to the People of England: Against Martin Mar-Prelate, London: John Petheram, […], published 1847, →OCLC, page 171

      […] Libraries, […] are as the Shrynes, vvhere all the Reliques of the ancient Saints, full of true vertue, and that vvithout deluſion or impoſture, are preſerued, and repoſed; […]

      1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 2, verso

      The sword was now brandished, not to be sheathed or reposed, until the one party or the other should be irretrievably defeated.

      1827, [Walter Scott], chapter V, in The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Emperor of the French. […], volume VIII, Edinburgh: […] Ballantyne and Co. for Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, & Green, […]; and Cadell & Co., […], →OCLC, page 113

   4. obsoletetransitiveTo regard (something) as being embodied in another thing; to ascribe, to attribute.

      [A] certaine Bonzi, […] did giue them a certaine booke to kiſſe, and laid it on their heads, vvherein they repoſed much holiness, and vvorſhipped it as a god: […]

      1614, Samuel Purchas, “[Asia.] A Continuation of the Former Discourse Touching the Religions of Iapon.”, in Purchas His Pilgrimage. Or Relations of the World and the Religions Observed in All Ages and Places Discouered, from the Creation vnto this Present. […], 2nd edition, London: […] William Stansby for Henrie Fetherstone, […], →OCLC, book V (Of the East-Indies, and of the Seas and Ilands about Asia, with Their Religions), page 529

      1 more example

      […] Paule ſayth that the widowes which hauing ben ones receiued into the Publike miniſterie did marrye, denyed their firſt fayth. But I doe not denie to them, that the widowes, whiche bounde themſelues and their ſeruices to the Chirch, did therewithall take vpon them the bonde of cõtinuall vnmaried life: not becauſe they repoſed any religion therin as it afterward began to be vſed: but becauſe they could not beare that office but beeing at their own libertie and looſe from yoke of mariage.

      1561 May 16 (Gregorian calendar), Ihon Caluin [i.e., John Calvin], “Of Vowes, by Rash Promising wherof Eche Man hath Miserably Entangled Himselfe”, in [Thomas Norton], transl., The Institution of Christian Religion, […], London: […] Reinolde [i.e., Reginald?] Wolfe & Richarde Harison, →OCLC, 4th book, folio 89, recto

      Synonyms: attach, impute, put down to, accredit, ascribe, attach, attribute, chalk up to

   5. obsoleteraretransitiveTo establish or institute (something); to found.

      A long buylt citty there ſtood, Carthago ſo named, / From the mouth of Tybris, from land eke of Italie ſeauer'd, / Poſſeſt wyth Tyrians, in ſtrength and riches abounding, / There Iuno the princes her empyre wholye repoſed, […]

      1582, Virgil, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 2

   6. obsoleteraretransitiveTo throw (something); to cast.

      [T]hee ſouthwynd merciles eager / Three gallant veſſels on rocks gnawne craggye repoſed.

      1582, Virgil, “The Firste Booke of Virgil His Aeneis”, in Richard Stanyhurst, transl., The First Foure Bookes of Virgils Æneis, […], London: […] Henrie Bynneman […], published 1583, →OCLC; republished as The First Four Books of the Æneid of Virgil, […], Edinburgh: [Edinburgh Printing Company], 1836, →OCLC, page 5

2. Senses relating to returning.
   1. transitivemedicineTo put (a body part) back in its usual location; to reposition.
   2. obsoletetransitiveTo forcefully restrain (something); to repress, to suppress.

      [A] multitude of common People gather'd together in Bands that very Sunday-morning, all armed vvith a full and furious purpoſe to repoſe the Inſolence and Pride of the Nobility, vvho had reduced the common people to ſuch a paſs that they could hardly live by them.

      1652, Alexander Giraffi [i.e., Alessandro Giraffi], “A Compendium of the Sublevations and Turmoils which Happen’d in the City, and among the People of Cosenza”, in James Howell, transl., An Exact History of the Late Revolutions in Naples; […], revised edition, London: […] R[ichard] Lowndes […], published 1663, →OCLC, part II (The Second Part of Massaniello, […]), page 26

   3. obsoletetransitiveTo return (something) to a particular place; to put back, to replace.
   4. ScotlandobsoleteraretransitiveTo restore (someone) to a position or rank formerly held; to reinstate.
3. intransitiveOf a thing: to be in the management or power of a person or an organization.

present singular third person reposes · participle present reposing · participle past reposed · past reposed

1. reflexivetransitiveTo pose (oneself or someone, or something) again.