gravedigger

[ greyv-dig-er ]

noun

1. a person whose occupation is digging graves.
2. burying beetle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravedigger¹

First recorded in 1585–95; grave ¹ + digger

Example Sentences

Gravediggers were running out of space, and residents were panicked.

From Washington Post

This volume includes the dodge-the-obvious profiles of the attending emergency room physician and gravedigger for the slain JFK.

From The Daily Beast

He had spent several years as a gravedigger and gardener at a cemetery in Germany before returning to Puglia.

From The Daily Beast

“I never heard that part of the story before,” said Lady Engleton, when the gravedigger had left.

From Project Gutenberg

The trees waved and bent and murmured, as though they gossiped with each other over this odd gravedigger.

From Project Gutenberg

The entertainment is followed by a counter-invitation; and the gravedigger is forced to pay a return visit.

From Project Gutenberg

The best of these, and one of the most popular of the kind, is probably the 'Song of the Gravedigger.'

From Project Gutenberg

In an old abbey town, a long, long while ago there officiated as sexton and gravedigger in the churchyard one Gabriel Grubb.

From Project Gutenberg