O.E. deað, from P.Gmc. *dauthaz, from verbal stem *dau- "die" + *-thuz suffix indicating "act, process, condition." Death's-head, a symbol of mortality, is from 1596. Death row first recorded 1940s. Slang be death on "be very good at" is from 1839. Deathbed in O.E. was "the grave;" meaning "bed on which someone dies" is from c.1400. Death wish first recorded 1896. The death-watch beetle (1668) inhabits houses, makes a ticking noise like a watch, and is superstitiously supposed to portend death.
the event of dying or departure from life; "her death came as a terrible shock"; "upon your decease the capital will pass to your grandchildren" [ant: birth]
2.
the permanent end of all life functions in an organism or part of an organism; "the animal died a painful death"
3.
the absence of life or state of being dead; "he seemed more content in death than he had ever been in life"
4.
the time when something ends; "it was the death of all his plans"; "a dying of old hopes" [ant: birth]
5.
the time at which life ends; continuing until dead; "she stayed until his death"; "a struggle to the last"
6.
the personification of death; "Death walked the streets of the plague-bound city"
7.
a final state; "he came to a bad end"; "the so-called glorious experiment came to an inglorious end" [syn: end]
8.
the act of killing; "he had two deaths on his conscience"
deathAudio Help (děth) Pronunciation Key
The end of life of an organism or cell. In humans and animals, death is manifested by the permanent cessation of vital organic functions, including the absence of heartbeat, spontaneous breathing, and brain activity. Cells die as a result of external injury or by an orderly, programmed series of self-destructive events known as apoptosis. The most common causes of death for humans in well-developed countries are cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, certain chronic diseases such as diabetes and emphysema, lung infections, and accidents. See also brain death.
Civ"il\, a. [L. civilis, fr. civis citizen: cf. F. civil. See City.]1. Pertaining to a city or state, or to a citizen in his relations to his fellow citizens or to the state; within the city or state. 2. Subject to government; reduced to order; civilized; not barbarous; -- said of the community. England was very rude and barbarous; for it is but even the other day since England grew civil. --Spenser. 3. Performing the duties of a citizen; obedient to government; -- said of an individual. Civil men come nearer the saints of God than others; they come within a step or two of heaven. --Preston 4. Having the manners of one dwelling in a city, as opposed to those of savages or rustics; polite; courteous; complaisant; affable. Note: "A civil man now is one observant of slight external courtesies in the mutual intercourse between man and man; a civil man once was one who fulfilled all the duties and obligations flowing from his position as a 'civis' and his relations to the other members of that 'civitas."' --Trench 5. Pertaining to civic life and affairs, in distinction from military, ecclesiastical, or official state. 6. Relating to rights and remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings. Civil action, an action to enforce the rights or redress the wrongs of an individual, not involving a criminal proceeding. Civil architecture, the architecture which is employed in constructing buildings for the purposes of civil life, in distinction from military and naval architecture, as private houses, palaces, churches, etc. Civil death. (Law.) See under Death. Civil engineering. See under Engineering. Civil law. See under Law. Civil list. See under List. Civil remedy (Law), that given to a person injured, by action, as opposed to a criminal prosecution. Civil service, all service rendered to and paid for by the state or nation other than that pertaining to naval or military affairs. Civil service reform, the substitution of business principles and methods for the spoils system in the conduct of the civil service, esp. in the matter of appointments to office. Civil state, the whole body of the laity or citizens not included under the military, maritime, and ecclesiastical states. Civil suit. Same as Civil action. Civil war. See under War. Civil year. See under Year.
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Audio Help [deth] Pronunciation Key 
