mortuary

English

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman mortuarie (“gift to a parish priest from a deceased parishioner”), from Medieval Latin mortuārium (“receptacle for the dead; mortuary”), neuter form of mortuārius (“of or pertaining to the dead”), from Latin mortuus, perfect passive participle of morior (“I die”).

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. a morgue
3. (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

• (ecclesiastical heriot): soulscot

Translations

morgue — see morgue