Rest n. 1.A state of quiet or repose; a cessation from motion or labor; tranquillity; as, rest from mental exertion; rest of body or mind. "Sleep give thee all his rest!"
2.Hence, freedom from everything which wearies or disturbs; peace; security. "And the land had rest fourscore years."
3.Sleep; slumber; hence, poetically, death. "How sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest."
4.That on which anything rests or leans for support; as, a rest in a lathe, for supporting the cutting tool or steadying the work. "He made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house."
5.(Anc. Armor) A projection from the right side of the cuirass, serving to support the lance. "Their visors closed, their lances in the rest."
6.A place where one may rest, either temporarily, as in an inn, or permanently, as, in an abode. "Halfway houses and travelers' rests." "In dust our final rest, and native home." "Ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which the Lord your God giveth you."
7.(Pros.) A short pause in reading verse; a caesura.
8.The striking of a balance at regular intervals in a running account. "An account is said to be taken with annual or semiannual rests."
9.A set or game at tennis. (Obs.)
10.(Mus.) Silence in music or in one of its parts; the name of the character that stands for such silence. They are named as notes are, whole, half, quarter,etc.
Rest house, an empty house for the accomodation of travelers; a caravansary. (India)
To set one's rest or To set up one's rest, to have a settled determination; from an old game of cards, when one so expressed his intention to stand or rest upon his hand. (Obs.)
Synonyms: Cessation; pause; intermission; stop; stay; repose; slumber; quiet; ease; quietness; stillness; tranquillity; peacefulness; peace. Rest, Repose. Rest is a ceasing from labor or exertion; repose is a mode of resting which gives relief and refreshment after toil and labor. The words are commonly interchangeable.