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urn

 - 5 dictionary results

urn

[urn] ,
–noun
1. a large or decorative vase, esp. one with an ornamental foot or pedestal.
2. a vase for holding the ashes of the cremated dead.
3. a large metal container with a spigot, used for making or serving tea or coffee in quantity.
4. Botany. the spore-bearing part of the capsule of a moss, between lid and seta.

Origin:
1325–75; ME urne < L urna earthen vessel for ashes, water, etc., akin to urceus pitcher, Gk hýrchē jar


urnlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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urn   (ûrn)   
n.  
  1. A vase of varying size and shape, usually having a footed base or pedestal.

  2. A closed metal vessel having a spigot and used for warming or serving tea or coffee.

  3. Botany The spore-bearing part of a moss capsule.


[Middle English urne, from Latin urna.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

urn 
1374, "vase used to preserve the ashes of the dead," from L. urna "a jar, vessel," probably from earlier *urc-na, akin to urceus "pitcher, jug," and from the same source as Gk. hyrke "earthen vessel." But another theory connects it to L. urere "to burn" (cf. bust (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Computing Dictionary

URN
Uniform Resource Name

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
URN
universal resource name
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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