decease

[ dih-sees ]

noun

1. the act of dying; departure from life; death.

verb (used without object)

, de·ceased, de·ceas·ing.

1. to depart from life; die.

decease

/ dɪˈsiːs /

noun

1. See death
   a more formal word for death

verb

1. See die
   intr a more formal word for die 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of decease¹

1300–50; (noun) Middle English deces < Old French < Latin dēcessus departure, death, equivalent to dēced-, variant stem of dēcēdere to go away ( dē- de- + cēdere to go; cede ) + -tus suffix of v. action, with dt > s; (v.) late Middle English decesen, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decease¹

C14 (n): from Old French deces, from Latin dēcēdere to depart

Example Sentences

In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.

From Project Gutenberg

At Mr. Wright's death, it came to his widow, who gave it to my brother; at whose decease, it came to me.

From Project Gutenberg

While it was being disposed of, she acquainted Mr. Bumble with the old womans decease.

From Project Gutenberg

In the month of March, the decease of Mr. Liston, the comedian, attracted public notice.

From Project Gutenberg

August witnessed the decease of the veteran anti-reformer, Sir Charles Wetherell.

From Project Gutenberg