obit
[oh-bit for 1; oh-bit, ob-it for 2, 3; especially British ob-it for 1–3]
- Informal. an obituary.
- the date of a person's death.
- Obsolete. a Requiem Mass.
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Origin of obit
1325–75; Middle English obite < Latin obitus death, equivalent to obi- (stem of obīre to meet, meet one's death, die; ob- ob- + īre to go) + -tus suffix of v. action
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
eulogyobitburialcremationregisterannouncementnecrologyrequiementombmentinhumationintermentsepultureplantingservicesobsequiesexequiesExamples from the Web for obit
Contemporary Examples
Marilyn Johnson has written fascinating books about obit writers and librarians.
“An artist, a bohemian, lover of music, men, food, clothing, travel, politics, and peace,” the obit in a local paper said of her.
Would a male scientist have drawn such an obit opening about his great fatherhood skills?
To write his obit would be to admit that he was going to die, and who wanted to admit such a thing?
Nothing against her, but I kinda can't believe that Donna Summer's obit made A1 of the Times.
Historical Examples
At every months mind, years mind, or obit, the curate has 8d.
If the mother just died, you could at least get an obit out of it, she explained.
Joan of the JournalHelen Diehl Olds
In return the college undertook to keep an obit for him every year.
Oxford and its StoryCecil Headlam
Colchester and the Convent covenanted to observe the Bishop's obit—September 18—which we know they did to the last.
William de ColchesterErnest Harold Pearce
In 1493 he established at University College an obit for the widow of Warwick the king-maker.
Oxford and its StoryCecil Headlam
obit
- short for obituary
- a memorial service
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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
Word Origin and History for obit
n.
late 14c., "death," from Middle French obit or directly from Latin obitus "death," noun use of past participle of obire "to die," literally "to go toward" (see obituary). In modern usage (since 1874) it is usually a clipped form of obituary, though it had the same meaning of "published death notice" 15c.-17c. The scholarly abbreviation ob. with date is from Latin obiit "(he) died," third person singular of obire.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper