Reposing

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Being in a state of rest, often lying down quietly and calmly
2. Remaining still and relaxed, typically by lying or reclining comfortably
3. Lying down peacefully with minimal movement, usually in a restful manner

Etymology: Middle English had a verb "reposen" that meant "to put something back" or "replace," built from re- and "posen," to place. The sense of settling into stillness came through Old French "reposer," which had taken on the meanings of becoming calm, lying down, and ceasing. Old French got the verb from Latin "repausare," formed from re- and "pausare," to halt. That Latin verb descends from the Greek noun "pausis," meaning "ceasing," from "pauō," to bring to an end. The idea of stopping was in the root all along, and the sense of resting came with it. The noun "repose" arrived in English from French and became a painter's term for a dark, soft, or indistinct area in a picture. In 1871, Édouard Manet titled a painting "Le repos," showing his sister-in-law, Berthe Morisot, lounging on a sofa.

Synonyms: resting, relaxing, lying down, reclining, sleeping