n.

1. something left after other parts have been taken away;
   remainder, balance, residual, residue, residuum
   
   • there was no remainder
   • he threw away the rest
   • he took what he wanted and I got the balance
2. freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility);
   ease, repose, relaxation
   
   • took his repose by the swimming pool
3. a pause for relaxation;
   respite, relief, rest period
   
   • people actually accomplish more when they take time for short rests
4. a state of inaction
   
   • a body will continue in a state of rest until acted upon
5. euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb);
   eternal rest, sleep, eternal sleep, quietus
   
   • she was laid to rest beside her husband
   • they had to put their family pet to sleep
6. a support on which things can be put
   
   • the gun was steadied on a special rest
7. a musical notation indicating a silence of a specified duration

v.

1. not move; be in a resting position
2. take a short break from one's activities in order to relax;
   breathe, catch one's breath, take a breather
3. give a rest to
   
   • He rested his bad leg
   • Rest the dogs for a moment
4. have a place in relation to something else;
   lie
   
   • The fate of Bosnia lies in the hands of the West
   • The responsibility rests with the Allies
5. be at rest
6. stay the same; remain in a certain state;
   stay, remain
   
   • The dress remained wet after repeated attempts to dry it
   • rest assured
   • stay alone
   • He remained unmoved by her tears
   • The bad weather continued for another week
7. be inherent or innate in;;
   reside, repose
8. put something in a resting position, as for support or steadying
   
   • Rest your head on my shoulder
9. sit, as on a branch;
   perch, roost
   
   • The birds perched high in the tree
10. rest on or as if on a pillow;
    pillow
    
    • pillow your head
11. be inactive, refrain from acting
    
    • The committee is resting over the summer