Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Obsequy
Ob′se-quy
,Noun.
pl.
Obsequies
(#)
. [L.
obsequiae
, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi
: cf. F. obsèques
. See Obsequent
, and cf. Obsequious
.] 1.
The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; – now used only in the plural.
Spencer.
I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend,
With silent
With silent
obsequy
and funeral train. Milton
I will myself
Be the chief mourner at his
Be the chief mourner at his
obsequies
. Dryden.
The funeral
obsequies
were decently and privately performed by his family. J. P. Mahaffy.
2.
Obsequiousness.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.
Definition 2024
obsequy
obsequy
English
Noun
obsequy (plural obsequies)
- The last office for the dead
- (chiefly in the plural) A funeral rite or service.
- 1919 — Ronald Firbank, Valmouth, Duckworth, hardback edition, page 13
- But, to-day, there were no obsequies to observe at all.
- 1919 — Ronald Firbank, Valmouth, Duckworth, hardback edition, page 13
Usage notes
- in modern usage, it is mainly in the plural: "obsequies", and not to be confused with obsequious