moribund
[ mawr-uh-buhnd, mor- ]
adjective
in a dying state; near death: He arrived at the hospital moribund, and passed away a few hours later.
on the verge of extinction or termination: moribund species, largely due to human encroachment on their natural habitat.
not progressing or advancing; stagnant: a moribund political party.
Origin of moribund
1First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin moribundus “dying,” equivalent to mori- (stem of morī “to die”) + -bundus adjective suffix
Other words from moribund
- mor·i·bun·di·ty, noun
- mor·i·bund·ly, adverb
- un·mor·i·bund, adjective
- un·mor·i·bund·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for moribund
moribund
/ (ˈmɒrɪˌbʌnd) /
adjective
near death
stagnant; without force or vitality
Origin of moribund
1C18: from Latin, from morī to die
Derived forms of moribund
- moribundity, noun
- moribundly, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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