Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of rest, sleep, or tranquility: "Repose" refers to a state of being at rest, free from activity, disturbance, or work.
   • Peaceful composure; calmness: It can describe a state of mental calmness, serenity, or freedom from anxiety.
   • Harmonious arrangement (in art): In artistic contexts, it can refer to a balanced, restful quality in a composition.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To place or put (trust, confidence, etc.) in something/someone: To entrust or deposit something abstract, like hope or authority.
   • To lay or place something down: To put something in a resting position, often horizontally.

3. Verb (intransitive):

   • To lie at rest; to rest or sleep: To be in a state of rest.
   • To lie dead: To be interred or buried.
   • To be based or founded upon: To have as a foundation or fundamental principle.
   • To rest or lean in a comfortable position: To recline.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • After a long day, she sought repose in her favorite armchair.
  • His face had an expression of perfect repose.
  • The classical sculpture was admired for its sense of repose.

• Verb (transitive):

  • The citizens reposed their trust in the new government.
  • She reposed her head on the soft pillow.

• Verb (intransitive):

  • The cat reposed peacefully in the sunbeam.
  • The theory reposes on a few basic assumptions.
  • The great leader reposes in the national cemetery.

Advanced Usage

• "Angle of repose": A technical term in engineering and geology for the steepest angle at which a sloping surface formed of loose material is stable.

  • The angle of repose for dry sand is different from that of wet sand.

• "In repose": In a state of rest or tranquility.

  • The mountains were majestic in their snowy repose.

• "To repose confidence/faith in": To place trust or belief in someone or something.

  • It is a great responsibility when someone reposes their confidence in you.

Variants and Related Words

• Reposal (n, rare): The act of reposing or state of being reposed.
• Reposed (adj): Being in a state of repose; calm and composed.
  • She had a reposed and dignified manner.

Synonyms

• Noun (for rest): Rest, relaxation, tranquility, peace, calm, serenity, sleep.
• Verb (to place): Place, put, deposit, entrust, vest.
• Verb (to rest): Rest, relax, recline, lie down, sleep.

Related Phrases

• "To repose on one's laurels": To be satisfied with one's past achievements and make no further effort. (Note: This is a less common variant of "to rest on one's laurels").
• "To seek repose": To look for or try to find a state of rest or peace.

Idioms

• "Repose of mind": A state of mental peace and freedom from worry.
  • The quiet countryside gave him a much-needed repose of mind.

Noun

1. a disposition free from stress or emotion
2. the absence of mental stress or anxiety
3. freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
   • took his repose by the swimming pool

Verb

1. to put something (eg trust) in something
   • The nation reposed its confidence in the King
2. put in a horizontal position
   • lay the books on the table
   • lay the patient carefully onto the bed
3. lean in a comfortable resting position
   • He was reposing on the couch
4. lie when dead
   • Mao reposes in his mausoleum
5. be inherent or innate in;
6. put or confide something in a person or thing
   • These philosophers reposed the law in the people