requiescat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “requiescat” mean?
A prayer or wish for the repose of the dead, especially in the Latin phrase 'requiescat in pace' (may he/she rest in peace).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A prayer or wish for the repose of the dead, especially in the Latin phrase 'requiescat in pace' (may he/she rest in peace).
Can refer to an epitaph or inscription expressing such a wish, or more broadly, a state of eternal rest or peace associated with death.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use it in similar formal or literary contexts.
Connotations
Solemn, respectful, and associated with death, peace, and eternity in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English; slightly more attested in British English due to historical and literary influences.
Grammar
How to Use “requiescat” in a Sentence
requiescat in pacerequiescat for the deceasedrequiescat of a soulVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in business contexts.
Academic
Used in literary, historical, or religious studies when discussing epitaphs, Latin phrases, or funerary practices.
Everyday
Rarely used in everyday conversation; might be encountered in obituaries, during funerals, or in references to tomb inscriptions.
Technical
Used in funerary services, tomb inscriptions, theological discussions, and heraldic or epigraphic contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “requiescat”
- Mispronouncing as 're-kwee-es-cat' or 're-quest-cat'.
- Using it as a verb in modern English, e.g., 'He requiescated', which is non-standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare and archaic word, mostly found in formal, literary, or religious contexts such as epitaphs or historical texts.
Not in standard modern English; it is derived from the Latin verb 'requiescere' but in English it is typically used as a noun or part of the fixed phrase 'requiescat in pace'.
'RIP' is the abbreviation for 'requiescat in pace', both meaning 'rest in peace'. 'Requiescat' specifically refers to the wish or prayer for rest, while 'RIP' is a common shorthand on gravestones.
In British English, it is pronounced /ˌrɛkwɪˈɛskæt/, and in American English, /ˌrɛkwiˈɛskæt/, with stress on the third syllable.
A prayer or wish for the repose of the dead, especially in the Latin phrase 'requiescat in pace' (may he/she rest in peace).
Requiescat is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “requiescat in pace”
- “grant a requiescat”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'require rest cat' but remember it's a Latin phrase for 'may he/she rest', often seen as RIP on gravestones.
Conceptual Metaphor
Death is rest; the deceased is in a state of peaceful sleep.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'requiescat'?