Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Aug 29, 2014
This week's theme
Words that can't be analyzed easily

This week's words
recapitulate
degust
reprove
prorogue
repose

This week's comments
AWADmail 635

Next week's theme
Words that have many unrelated meanings
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

repose

PRONUNCIATION:
(ri-POHZ)

MEANING:
noun:
1. A state of rest.
2. Calmness.

verb intr.:
3. To lie down.
4. To lie dead.

verb tr.:
5. To lay at rest.
6. To place confidence in someone or something.
7. To put something somewhere.

ETYMOLOGY:
For 1-5: From Latin repausare (to cause to rest), from re- (intensive prefix) + pausare (to rest), from pausa (rest). Earliest documented use: 1450.
For 6-7: From Latin reponere (to store up), from ponere (to put). Ultimately from the Indo-European root apo- (off or away) that is also the source of after, off, awkward, post, and puny. Earliest documented use: 1440.

USAGE:
"Matisse wanted 'anyone tired, worn down, driven to the limits of endurance, to find calm and repose' in his art. In this he certainly succeeded."
Carving into Colour; The Economist (London, UK); Apr 12, 2014.

See more usage examples of repose in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts. -John Locke, philosopher (1632-1704)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith