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to rest

to rest

182 1.0
To put something on or against something so it stays steady
  • verb
  • /rɛst/
translation icon : apoyar en
  • I raise up on one elbow and see the four canoes resting at water's edge.
  • rest your head on
  • rest on a table
  • rest the body on

I'm going to lift it out, pop it on a plate to rest.

Examples

  • Make sure to rest the vase on the shelf so it doesn't fall.

  • OK, so I am going to gently rest my head upon your shoulder.

  • Let me just rest this on here.

  • And then for now, leave that shape to rest and fill this entire thing in.

  • You should rest that arm.

  • All right, So I'm going to let this one rest there while this one goes in.

  • Yeah, I'm going to let those rest right there.

  • Let the shoulders relax and the arms and hands rest easily.

  • So take your Turkey out into a clean tray, rest it there.

  • Her wandering glance came to rest on the couple who were the cynosure of all eyes.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to lay
vsto rest
1.0

To put something down carefully so it is flat on a surface

means supporting or steadying usually regardless of flatness
to lean
vsto rest
418 1.5

To bend or rest at an angle against something

describes making an item steady, not specifically by angling it
to prop
vsto rest
68 4.1

To hold something up by putting an object under or against it

is the general act of making something steady without adding a brace
to perch
vsto rest
67 4.4

To sit or put something on a high narrow place

aims for stable support and steadiness rather than a narrow ledge
to rest on
vsto rest
66 1.0

To put part of your body or an object on something for support

is identical in meaning but uses a more general phrasing for support
to lean on
vsto rest
61 1.8

To rest against someone or something for support

describes placing for steady support rather than relying on another object
to seat
vsto rest
  • Specialized
34 4.3

To fit something firmly into a base so it stays in place

is broader, covering any supported or steady positioning not just fixing
to ensconce
vsto rest
  • Formal
12 8.6

To put someone or something in a comfortable, safe place

is the plain act of supporting without the comfort or safety emphasis
to pillow
vsto rest
3 3.7

To rest your head on a soft cushion for comfort

focuses on steady support in many situations, not only comfort use
to place down
vsto rest
1 1.7

Put something on a table or chair so it rests

is about giving general steady support rather than specifically setting down

Idioms

35 3.7

Be sure that something will happen, so do not worry

to rest my case
  • Informal
11 6.5

To say you have finished and proved your point

7 7.7

To stop trying to improve after past success

7 2.4

Someone or something that is quiet and still and not moving

at rest
  • Formal
3 6.1

People say someone is not alive in a gentle, respectful way

2 4.4

People say this when what happens next is well known

rest his soul
  • Archaic
1 9.0

People say it to show respect for a man who has died

at rest
  • Specialized
1 5.1

Stored information that is not being sent or used

A wish that a dead man finds peace after death

Tired people must keep working or dealing with problems without a break

7.6

People say this when they have a lot of work and little rest

rest in piss
  • Offensive
9.9

A rude, joking way to show dislike for someone or something that is gone

Phrasal Verbs

66 1.0

To put part of your body or an object on something for support

58 3.7

To depend on something like an idea or reason

48 6.9

To stop doing or talking about something because it annoys other people

To bury someone after a funeral

to rest easy
  • Informal
16 4.2

Feel calm and not worried after someone reassures you

To stop a worry, rumor, or feeling by dealing with it

To close your eyes for a short time to avoid eye strain

To lean your head or body against another person's shoulder for comfort

Compounds

24 1.8

A place beside a road where people stop to rest, use toilets, or buy food

bed rest
  • Specialized
16 2.6

Staying in bed for health reasons when a doctor says so

8 2.3

A day when people do not work and relax, often for religious reasons

rest home
  • Archaic
8 3.4

A place where older people live and get care

7 1.6

A place beside a highway where drivers stop to rest and use toilets

eternal rest
  • Formal
5 7.1

A peaceful state after death that lasts forever

4 2.0

A day to relax and not work

3 2.5

A short time to relax and get energy back

chin rest
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A small support on a violin or viola that you put your chin on for comfort and stability while playing

rest area
  • Jargon
1 3.2

A safe place in a game where players heal and save progress

rest house
  • Archaic
1 4.6

A building where travelers can sleep and rest

rest mass
  • Specialized
1 7.4

The amount of matter in an object measured when it is not moving, not how heavy it feels

rest-cure
  • Archaic
1 8.4

A period of bed rest to help someone recover from stress or nervous problems

musket rest
  • Archaic
9.9

A forked pole about four feet long that supports a musket when you fire it

gun rest
  • Jargon
9.9

The top board on the side of a wooden boat that makes the side stronger

half rest
  • Specialized
6.1

A short silence in music that lasts two beats

quarter rest
  • Specialized
4.7

A music symbol showing silence for one beat

rest energy
  • Specialized
8.2

Energy equal to a particle's mass when it is not moving, calculated as mass times the speed of light squared

9.9

A plant with tough roots and pink or purple flowers

whole rest
  • Specialized
4.0

A silent part in music that usually lasts four beats

How Supported

to anchor
51 3.4
to secure
347 3.3
to rest
182 1.0
to settle
540 2.8
to lean
418 1.5

Surface Forms

rest infinitive
rested past
rested past participle
resting present participle
rests third person singular

Etymology

Rest meaning to place on something comes from the same idea in old English ræst of 'support'. To rest your hand on a shoulder is to put it there so it is steady or supported.