- rest
-
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German rasta rest and perhaps to Old High German ruowa calm
Date: before 12th century
1. repose, sleep; specifically a bodily state characterized by minimal functional and metabolic activities
2.
a. freedom from activity or labor
b. a state of motionlessness or inactivity
c. the repose of death
3. a place for resting or lodging
4. peace of mind or spirit
5.
a.
(1) a rhythmic silence in music
(2) a character representing such a silence
b. a brief pause in reading
6. something used for support
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. to get rest by lying down; especially sleep
b. to lie dead
2. to cease from action or motion ; refrain from labor or exertion
3. to be free from anxiety or disturbance
4. to sit or lie fixed or supported <a column rests on its pedestal> 5. a. to remain confident ; trust <cannot rest on that assumption> b. to be based or founded <the verdict rested on several sound precedents> 6. to remain for action or accomplishment <the answer rests with you> 7. of farmland to remain idle or uncropped 8. to bring to an end voluntarily the introduction of evidence in a law case transitive verb 1. to give rest to 2. to set at rest 3. to place on or against a support 4. to cause to be firmly fixed <rested all hope in his child> 5. to desist voluntarily from presenting evidence pertinent to (a case at law) • rester noun III. noun Etymology: Middle English reste, literally, stoppage, short for areste, from Anglo-French arest, from arester to arrest Date: 14th century a projection or attachment on the side of the breastplate of medieval armor for supporting the butt of a lance IV. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French reste, from rester to remain, from Latin restare, from re- + stare to stand — more at stand Date: 15th century something that remains over ; remainder <ate the rest of the candy>
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.