death

death

noun \ˈdeth\

Definition of DEATH

1

a : a permanent cessation of all vital functions : the end of life — compare brain death b : an instance of dying <a disease causing many deaths>

2

a : the cause or occasion of loss of life <drinking was the death of him> b : a cause of ruin <the slander that was death to my character — Wilkie Collins>

3

capitalized : the destroyer of life represented usually as a skeleton with a scythe

4

: the state of being dead

5

a : the passing or destruction of something inanimate <the death of vaudeville> b : extinction

6

: civil death

7

: slaughter

8

Christian Science : the lie of life in matter : that which is unreal and untrue

— at death's door

: close to death : critically ill

— to death

: beyond endurance : excessively <bored to death>

Examples of DEATH

1. birth, life, and eventual death
2. The newspaper did not report the cause of death.
3. People around the world mourned his death.
4. The accident resulted in two deaths.
5. The number of deaths from cancer is rising.
6. He died a violent death.
7. There has been a death in the family.
8. The general met his death on the battlefield.
9. the death of a marriage
10. Death could be seen lurking in the corner of the painting.

Origin of DEATH

Middle English deeth, from Old English dēath; akin to Old Norse dauthi death, deyja to die — more at die

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to DEATH

Synonyms: curtains, decease, demise, dissolution, doom, end, exit, expiration, expiry, fate, grave, great divide, passage, passing, quietus, sleep

Antonyms: birth, nativity

Related Words: casualty, fatality; martyrdom, self-destruction, self-murder, self-slaughter, suicide; annihilation, destruction, ending, extermination, ruin; assassination, execution, killing, massacre, slaughter

Near Antonyms: existence, life; creation, genesis, origination, rise

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with DEATH

breath, breadth, heth, meth, Seth, snath