Quick Definition
ἀνάπαυσις, εως, ἡ n.f. rest, cessation from labor, refreshment
Strong's Definition
from 373; intermission; by implication, recreation
KJV Usage: rest
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
noun, f. | -εως | παύω
68.34 · Aspect · Cease, Stop
to cease, to stop to cease from an activity in which one is engaged It is possible that ἀνάπαυσις in REV 4:8 should be interpreted as a period of cessation, but such a meaning would only be derivative of this particular context.
23.80 · Physiological Processes and States · Tire, Rest
rest, to rest to become physically refreshed after ceasing activity or work In the use of ἀναπαύομαι[a] and ἀνάπαυσις[b], the focus of meaning seems to be upon the restorative character of rest rather than mere cessation of activity (see 68.34).
23.87 · Physiological Processes and States · Tire, Rest
a place to rest (derivative of ἀναπαύομαι[a] ‘to rest,’ 23.80) a location for resting It is possible, however, to treat ἀνάπαυσις in MAT 12:43 as not being a place of rest, but simply a state of rest as in ἀνάπαυσις[b] (23.80). Compare MAT 11:29, in which ἀνάπαυσις appears to refer to a state rather than to a location.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἀνά-παυσις, -ews, 7, (ἀναπαύω), [fr. Mimnerm., Pind. down]; 1. intermission, cessation, of any motion, business, labor: ἀνάπαυσιν οὐκ ἔχουσι λέγοντες [Rec. λέγοντα] equiv. to οὐκ ἀναπαύονται λέγοντες they incessantly say, Rev. iv. 8. 2. rest, recreation: Mt. xii. 43; Lk. xi. 24; Rey. xiv. 11, (and often in Grk. writ.); blessed tranquillity of soul, Mt. xi. 29, (Sir. vi. [27] 28; li. 27; Sap. iv. 7). [The word denotes a temporary rest, a respite, 6. g. of soldiers; cf. Schmidt ch. 25; Bp. Lghtft. on Philem. 7; Trench § xli.]
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἀνάπαυσις anapausis 5x
rest, intermission, Mt. 11:29; Rev. 4:8; 14:11; meton. place of rest, fixed habitation, Mt. 12:43; Lk. 11:24*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἀνά-παυσις, -εως, ή
(ἀνάπαύω), [in LXX chiefly for נוּחַ and its derivatives, שַׁבָּת and its cognates (Ex, Le);]
cessation, rest, refreshment: Mt 11:26 12:43, Lk 11:24, Re 4:8 14:11.†
SYN.: ἄνεσις (lit, the relaxation of the strings of a lyre), prop. signifies the rest or ease which comes from the relaxation of unfavourable conditions, as, e.g. affliction: ἀνάπ., the rest which comes from the temporary cessation of labour (v. Tr., Syn., § xl; Cremer, 827; MM, VGT, s.v.)
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἀνάπαυσις. In P Flor I. 5785 (A.p. 223--5) a septuagenarian pleads for “‘relief” (&vamavoews) from public duties (λειτουργίαι) ; χρόϊν]ον ἀνα[παύσε]ως accorded to veterans μετὰ τ[ὴν ἀπόλυσιν from military service. As will be seen from the record of the verb below, the essential idea is that of a respite, or /emporary rest as a preparation for future toil, which Lightfoot (on Philem?) finds in ἀναπαύω. This brings out all the better the differentia of κατάπαυσις in Heb 4, the Sabbath followed by no weekday.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἀνάπαυσις (anapausis) — rest. ἀνά-παυσις, poetry ἄμπ-, εως, ἡ, repose, rest, [Refs 6th c.BC+]: especially relaxation, recreation, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
2. with genitive of things, rest from a thing, κακῶν[Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. Rhet., cadence of a period, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]