exhume

verb ex·hume \ ig-ˈzüm , igz-ˈyüm , iks-ˈ(h)yüm \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of exhume

exhumed; exhuming

transitive verb

1 : disinter

exhume a body

2 : to bring back from neglect or obscurity

exhumed a great deal of information from the archives

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exhumation

play \ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən, ˌeg-zü-, ˌegz-yü-\ noun

—

exhumer

play \ig-ˈzü-mər, igz-ˈyü-, iks-ˈ(h)yü-\ noun

See exhume defined for English-language learners

See exhume defined for kids

Examples of exhume in a Sentence

the remains of John Paul Jones were exhumed in Paris and transported with great ceremony to the U.S. Naval Academy

Recent Examples of exhume from the Web

In recent years, suspicions that Neruda had been poisoned in the wake of the coup prompted officials to exhume his body and test it for toxins.

— danny heitman, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Neruda' plumbs the man behind the legend," 10 Apr. 2018
In 2015, a casket containing comingled remains from the Oklahoma was exhumed.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "Navy seaman died in WWII attack at Pearl Harbor. His remains will be buried in NC. | Charlotte Observer," 10 Apr. 2018
The audaciousness of his playoff guarantee after game three of 162 will be exhumed in September, either with awe or ridicule.

— tom verducci, SI.com, "Gabe Kapler Is an Analytics Fanatic Addicted to Fitness. Are Phillies Fans Ready to Embrace Him?," 10 Apr. 2018
In 2015, crews began exhuming the remains for more analysis.

— CBS News, "Remains of Navy seaman killed in Pearl Harbor attack identified, military says," 9 Apr. 2018
The sheriff's office exhumed the remains in 2015 to collect more DNA.

— robert downen, Houston Chronicle, "Police seek ID for 'New York Billy,' who was found floating with cement blocks in Crater Lake," 6 Apr. 2018
In October 2016, the DPAA began exhuming 94 sets of unknown Tarawa remains buried at the Punchbowl, including Unknown X-5.

— salem statesman journal, OregonLive.com, "Remains of Marine killed in WWII heading home to Oregon," 4 Apr. 2018
According to the government agency Chilean National Monuments Council, the skeleton may have been illegally exhumed and smuggled out of the country.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Chilean Government Investigates Whether the Atacama Mummy Was Illegally Exhumed," 30 Mar. 2018
In exhuming the remains, authorities did not have to go far.

— chris coppola, azcentral, "'Little Miss Nobody': Sheriff's Office hopes image helps solve 58-year-old case," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'exhume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of exhume

Middle English, from Medieval Latin exhumare, from Latin ex out of + humus earth — more at ex-, humble

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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exhume Synonyms

Synonyms

disinter, unearth;

Antonyms

bury, entomb, inhume, inter, tomb;

EXHUME Defined for English Language Learners

exhume

verb

Definition of exhume for English Language Learners

: to remove (a body) from the place where it is buried

Medical Dictionary

exhume

transitive verb ex·hume \ igz-ˈ(y)üm , iks-ˈ(h)yüm \

medical Definition of exhume

exhumed; exhuming

: disinter

the body was exhumed for an autopsy

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exhumation

play \ˌeks-(h)yü-ˈmā-shən, ˌegz-(y)ü-\ noun

Learn More about exhume

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for exhume Spanish Central: Translation of exhume Nglish: Translation of exhume for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of exhume for Arabic speakers

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exhume

Definition of exhume

exhumation

exhumer

Examples of exhume in a Sentence

Recent Examples of exhume from the Web

Origin and Etymology of exhume

exhume Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

EXHUME Defined for English Language Learners

exhume

Definition of exhume for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

exhume

medical Definition of exhume

exhumation

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