Definition of rest upon

The phrase "rest upon" originated during the Middle English period, which lasted from the 1100s to the 1400s. During this time, the English language was heavily influenced by Old Norse and Old French. The verb "rest" comes from the Old English word "rustan," meaning "to cause to rest," while the preposition "upon" comes from the Old English word "on," which had multiple meanings, including "on" and "upon" (depending on the context). The origins of the phrase "rest upon" can be traced back to the Middle English period, where it was used in a similar sense to its modern use. The phrase was used to describe something in a supported or suspended position, made to rest on something else. In Middle English, the phrase was often written as "resten pon," with "pon" serving as both a preposition and a conjunction, functioning as both "upon" and "on" in modern English. Over time, the phrase "rest upon" evolved and became more commonly used in formal English. Today, it is still used to indicate a state of support or suspension, as in "the weight of the stone rested upon the narrow edge of the block," or "the flowerpot rested upon the windowsill."