mortuary

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a building (or room) where dead bodies are kept before burial or cremation
  2. adjective of or relating to or characteristic of death
  3. adjective of or relating to a funeral

Etymology

From Middle English mortuary, from Anglo-Norman mortuarie (“gift to a parish priest from a deceased parishioner”), from Medieval Latin mortuārium (“receptacle for the dead; mortuary”), neuter form of mortuārius (“of or pertaining to the dead”), from Latin mortuus, perfect passive participle of morior (“to die”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

morgue, dead room

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