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Webster 1913 Edition


Mortuary

Mor′tu-a-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Mortuaries
(#)
.
[LL.
mortuarium
. See
Mortuary
,
Adj.
]
1.
A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty.
2.
A burial place; a place for the dead.
3.
A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a deadhouse; a morgue.

Mor′tu-a-ry

,
Adj.
[L.
mortuarius
, fr.
mortuus
dead: cf. F.
mortuaire
. See
Mortal
.]
Of or pertaining to the dead;
as,
mortuary
monuments
.
Mortuary urn
,
an urn for holding the ashes of a dead person after cremation.

Webster 1828 Edition


Mortuary

MOR'TUARY

, n.
1.
A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by and due to the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty.
2.
A burial place.

MOR'TUARY

,
Adj.
Belonging to the burial of the dead.

Definition 2024


mortuary

mortuary

English

Adjective

mortuary (not comparable)

  1. of, or relating to death or a funeral; funereal

Noun

mortuary (plural mortuaries)

  1. A place where dead bodies are stored prior to burial or cremation.
  2. (historical) A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner.

Synonyms

  • (place where corpses are stored): morgue (now chiefly law and law enforcement)
  • (ecclesiastical heriot): soulscot

See also

  • (room in a mortuary where corpses are placed under a rinsing shower): lavatory

Translations