Temporary cessation from activity to rest and recover, especially in the form of sleep; rest; (countable) an instance of this; a break, a rest; a sleep. • Of the Virgin Mary: death; also assumption into heaven. • The festival honouring the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, celebrated on August 15. • The state of being peacefully inactive or relaxed, or being free from disturbances or worries; calmness, ease, peace, quietness. • Calmness of the mind or temperament; composure. • Of the face, a muscle, etc.: the state of being relaxed and not in tension. • The state of lying still and unmoving; calmness, tranquillity; (countable) an instance of this. • Relief or respite from something exhausting or unpleasant; (countable) an instance of this. • Confidence, faith, or trust in something. • The arrangement of elements of an artwork, a building, etc., that is restful and soothing to a viewer; harmony. • The state of leaving something alone or untouched; (countable) an instance of this. • Chiefly in the form point of repose, position of repose, etc.: absence of motion; equilibrium; (countable) a position where an object is not moving and at rest. • Of a natural phenomenon, especially the eruption of a volcano: the state of temporary cessation of activity; dormancy, quiescence. • A piece of furniture on which one can rest, especially a couch or sofa. • A place of rest. • The technique of including in a painting an area or areas which are dark, indistinct, or soft in tone so that other areas are more prominent, or so that a viewer can rest they eyes when looking at them; (countable) such an area of a painting.