deceased
UK: dɪˈsiːst | US: dɪˈsiːst
adj. no longer living; dead
n. a person who has died (often used formally or legally)
deceased = de<away> + cease<stop> + ed<past participle suffix>
- de (prefix): From Latin de-, meaning "away" or "off."
- cease (root): From Old French cesser, meaning "to stop" or "end," ultimately from Latin cessare (to delay/halt).
- ed (suffix): Forms past participles in English, indicating completed action.
Etymology Origin:
The word "deceased" originated from the Latin decessus (departure/death), combining de- (away) and cedere (to go). Through Old French deces, it evolved into Middle English as "decease" (death), later forming "deceased" to describe someone who has "ceased away" from life. The term carries a formal tone, often used in legal or respectful contexts.
The deceased was buried in a private ceremony.
The lawyer handled the estate of the deceased.
The hospital notified the family of the deceased patient.
The will of the deceased was read aloud.
The police identified the deceased after an investigation.