defunctiveadj.
Of or pertaining to defunction or dying. Also, becoming defunct; dying.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > [adjective] > relating to death
mortalc1425
deadly1470
capitalc1475
mortuary1542
parting?1570
deada1586
defunctive1601
lethal1607
deathly1763
deathya1822
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > type of piece > [adjective]
defunctive1601
epicedial?c1615
pastoritial1654
serenading1673
nomic1728
rhapsodic1844
polycephalic1850
nocturnal1896
palindromic1961
the world > life > death > dead person or the dead > [adjective] > dying
deadlyc893
swelting?a1400
dyingc1450
at (the) utterance1525
in (the, his) extremes1551
parting1562
Acherontic1597
ending1600
departing1603
on one's last legs1614
expiring1635
mortifying1649
morient1679
upon one's last stretch1680
gasping1681
à la mort1700
moribund1721
outward-bound1809
terminal1854
on the brink of the grave1872
defunctive1929
1601 W. Shakespeare Phoenix & Turtle in R. Chester Loves Martyr 170 Let the Priest in Surples white, That defunctiue Musicke can, Be the death-deuining Swan.
1920 T. S. Eliot Ara Vos Prec 14 Defunctive music under sea Passed seaward with the passing bell.
1929 W. Faulkner Sound & Fury 165 The lane..became defunctive in grass, a mere path scarred quietly into new grass.
1939 T. Wolfe Web & Rock i. 18 The day was drowsed with quietness and defunctive turnip greens.
1961 Listener 26 Oct. 681/1 The theatre has a whole barrel full of conventions for the purpose—slow curtains, quick curtains..defunctive music preparing a slow ending.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.1601