demise

²de·mise

noun \di-ˈmīz\

Definition of DEMISE

1

: the conveyance of an estate

2

: transfer of the sovereignty to a successor

3

a : death b : a cessation of existence or activity c : a loss of position or status

Examples of DEMISE

1. She had no property at the time of her demise.
2. The musician met an untimely demise.
3. We have not had truly local news coverage since the town newspaper's demise three years ago.
4. Losing this game will mean the team's demise.
5. … invited visitors to play a game in which points are awarded to those who predict the demise of yet another overhyped dot-com. —Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 14 Sept. 2000
6. This elegant little book is essential reading for anyone interested in the demise, the terminal silliness, of our culture. —John Irving, New York Times Book Review, 6 Apr. 1997
7. Like books, board games appear headed for imminent demise at the hands of cathode-ray terminals. —Will Manley, Booklist, 1 Mar. 1995

Origin of DEMISE

Middle English dimise, from Anglo-French demise, feminine of demis, past participle of demettre to dismiss, from Latin demittere to send down, from de- + mittere to send

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DEMISE

Synonyms: curtains, decease, death, 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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