Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Funeral?

\Fu"ner*al\, n. [LL. funeralia, prop. neut. pl. of funeralis of a funeral, fr. L. funus, funeris, funeral: cf. F. fun['e]railles.] 1. The solemn rites used in the disposition of a dead human body, whether such disposition be by interment, burning, or otherwise; esp., the ceremony or solemnization of interment; obsequies; burial; -- formerly used in the plural. King James his funerals were performed very solemnly in the collegiate church at Westminster. --Euller. 2. The procession attending the burial of the dead; the show and accompaniments of an interment. ``The long funerals.'' --Pope. 3. A funeral sermon; -- usually in the plural. [Obs.] Mr. Giles Lawrence preached his funerals. --South.
\Fu"ner*al\, a. [LL. funeralis. See {Funeral}, n.] Per. taining to a funeral; used at the interment of the dead; as, funeral rites, honors, or ceremonies. --Shak. {Funeral pile}, a structure of combustible material, upon which a dead body is placed to be reduced to ashes, as part of a funeral rite; a pyre. -- {Fu"ner*al*ly}, adv. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.