to repose on
- phrasal verb
- /rɪˈpoʊz ɑn/
- Formal
:
reposar en
- In an interview, he describes his attempts, in an early poem, to rewrite Dr. Johnson's sentence, "The mind can only repose on the stability of truth":
Examples
-
The conclusion of the essay reposes on the findings from various scientific studies.
-
Her theory reposes on extensive research and empirical data collected over many years.
-
The philosopher's arguments repose on the principles of ethics and morality.
Synonyms
179
3.4
Use something you already have as a base for new work
110
3.9
Base an idea or argument on evidence
58
3.7
To depend on something like an idea or reason
42
5.5
To base an idea or action on facts
34
6.5
To be the base or main cause of something
26
3.4
Use something as a base for further work
8
6.6
To base an argument or explanation on an idea
Antonyms
How Solid
37
4.2
- Formal
110
3.9
- Formal
58
3.7
309
1.0
602
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'to be based on / depend on' follows directly from combining 'repose' (to place one's trust or responsibility) with the preposition 'on' — together they yield a meaning of relying or resting something upon a foundation. Although 'repose' is formal and less frequent, the verb+on composition transparently signals dependence, so a learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer the MWE.
Etymology
Repose on comes from the idea of repose meaning 'to rest' and on meaning support. Picture a stone that reposes on a base — it simply rests there. So when an argument reposes on evidence, it 'depends on' that evidence.