Ré'qui-em, n.
(Synop., § 130), n. [Acc. of requies, rest, the first words of the prayer being “Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine,” give eternal rest to them, O Lord.]
Sense 1. (Rom. Cath. Church.) A hymn or mass sung for the dead, for the rest of his soul.
Sense 2. Any grand musical composition, performed in honor of some deceased person.
We should profane the service of the dead To sing a requiem, and such rest to her As to peace-parted souls. Shak.
Sense 3. Rest; quiet; peace. [Obs.]
Else had I an eternal requiem kept, And in the arms of peace forever slept. Sandys.