n.
Pronunciation: ' deth
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English deeth, from Old English d ē ath; akin to Old Norse dauthi death, deyja to die ― more at DIE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a permanent cessation of all vital functions : the end of life ― compare BRAIN DEATH b : an instance of dying <a disease causing many death s >
2 a : the cause or occasion of loss of life <drinking was the death of him> b : a cause of ruin <the slander that was death to my character ― Wilkie Collins>
3 capitalized : the destroyer of life represented usually as a skeleton with a scythe
4 : the state of being dead
5 a : the passing or destruction of something inanimate <the death of vaudeville> b : EXTINCTION
6 : CIVIL DEATH
7 : SLAUGHTER
8 Christian Science : the lie of life in matter : that which is unreal and untrue
– at death's door : close to death : critically ill
– to death : beyond endurance : EXCESSIVELY <bored to death >