1an instance or period of resting:you look as though you need a rest [mass noun]:a couple of days of complete rest
[mass noun] a motionless state:the car accelerates rapidly from rest
2 Music an interval of silence of a specified duration.
the sign denoting a musical rest.
a pause in speech or verse.
3 [in combination] an object that is used to support something:a shoulder rest
a support or hook for a telephone receiver when not in use:carefully the receiver was replaced on the rest
a support for a cue in billiards or snooker.
ზმნა
Universal
1cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength:he needed to rest after the feverish activityI’m going to rest up before travelling to England
[with object] allow to be inactive in order to regain strength or health:her friend read to her while she rested her eyes
(be resting) British used euphemistically by actors to indicate that they are out of work:she was an actress but doing domestic work while she was resting
[with object] leave (a player) out of a team temporarily:both men were rested for the cup final
(of a problem or subject) be left without further investigation or discussion:the council has urged the planning committee not to allow the matter to rest
[with object] allow (land) to lie fallow:the field should be grazed or rested
2 [no object, with adverbial of place] be placed or supported so as to stay in a specified position:her elbow was resting on the arm of the sofa
(of a body) lie buried:the king’s body rested in his tomb
[with object and adverbial of place] place (something) so that it is supported in a specified position:he rested a hand on her shoulder
(rest on/upon) (of a look) alight or be steadily directed on:his eyes rested briefly on the boy
3 (rest on/upon) be based on; depend on:the country’s security rested on its alliances
[with object] (rest something in/on) place hope, trust, or confidence on or in:she rested her hopes in her attorney
be the responsibility of or belong to a specified person:the final say rests with the regional assemblies
4 Law, North American conclude presentation of either party’s case in a suit or prosecution:the prosecution restsSee also rest one's case below.
at rest
not moving or exerting oneself:uncurl so your arms and legs are at rest
not agitated or troubled:if you think something’s wrong, consult the doctor to set your mind at rest
dead and buried:she lies at rest in the churchyard
come to rest
stop moving; settle:the lift came to rest at the first floor
give it a rest
British informal used to ask someone to stop talking about something that the speaker finds irritating:give it a rest, lads—agree to differ
