Buried - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

past tense

Buried is the past tense of the verb 'bury', which means to place someone or something in a grave or to hide something underground. It can also refer to being covered up or concealed by another substance. The action usually implies a level of permanence or depth.

Synonyms

covered, entombed, hidden, interred.

Examples of usage

He buried the treasure in the garden.
They buried her ashes at sea.
The dog buried its bone in the backyard.
The ancient civilization was buried beneath layers of earth.
She felt buried under the weight of her responsibilities.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Practices

In many cultures, burial is a traditional way to lay the deceased to rest, often involving ceremonies and rituals.
Egyptians famously buried pharaohs with treasures, believing that these items would be useful in the afterlife.
In some indigenous cultures, burial practices are strongly tied to beliefs about land, spirit, and ancestry.

Literature

In literature, burying often symbolizes hiding feelings or secrets, as seen in many classic novels.
Buried stories or thoughts are a common theme in poetry, representing the idea that buried things can still influence us.
Famous works, like Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Buried Alive', explore themes of entrapment and despair through burial.

Science

Soil burial is a fundamental process of ecological succession, helping to enrich the soil as organic material decomposes.
Archaeologists often excavate burial sites to learn about past civilizations and their burial rites.
From a scientific perspective, the decomposition of buried organic matter plays a critical role in nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

Pop Culture

In movies, a common trope is characters being buried alive, adding suspense and highlighting their struggle for survival.
The phrase 'buried treasure' often appears in adventure stories and films, symbolizing hidden wealth waiting to be found.
Musicians have also used the concept in lyrics, such as in songs exploring themes of loss, despair, and revelation.

Origin of 'buried'

Main points about word origin

The word 'buried' comes from the Old English 'byrgan', meaning 'to conceal' or 'to hide.'
In Middle English, the form 'burien' was commonly used as a variant of the word, showing its deep roots in the language.
The concept has existed for centuries, reflecting the human practices of honoring the dead and safeguarding valuables.

The word 'buried' comes from the Old English 'byrgan' which means 'to bury, to cover'. This evolved into the Middle English 'burien', which reflects the same meaning of placing something underground or hiding it from sight. Historically, the act of burying has significant cultural implications, often associated with funerary practices, where the dead are interred in graves as a mark of respect or for spiritual reasons. The notion of 'burying' can extend beyond literal interpretations, encompassing ideas of concealment, either in physical contexts (like hiding objects) or metaphorical contexts (such as burying one's feelings). Its usage has remained consistent throughout history, underscoring humanity’s relationship with death, memory, and privacy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,227, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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Buried Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations