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Entombment: meaning, definitions and examples

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entombment

 

[ɪnˈtuːmbmənt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

funeral

The act or process of burying or placing a dead body in a tomb or grave.

Synonyms

burial, interment, sepulture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
entombment

Used when referring to placing a body in a tomb, often a more elaborate and permanent structure than a simple grave. It is typically used in more formal or specific contexts.

  • The emperor's entombment was accompanied by elaborate ceremonies
  • The ancient king's entombment site was discovered by archaeologists
burial

General and commonly used term for placing a dead body in the ground. It's suitable for everyday use and is appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

  • The family attended the burial of their beloved grandfather
  • The burial will take place at the local cemetery
interment

A formal term often used in legal, official, or ceremonial contexts for the act of burying a body. It can be used interchangeably with 'burial' in many formal situations.

  • The interment of the soldier was carried out with full military honors
  • Her interment took place in a quiet, family-only ceremony
sepulture

An archaic or literary term for burial. Rarely used in modern speech, it is more likely to be found in historical texts or literature.

  • The ancient texts mentioned the sepulture of the pharaoh
  • The poet wrote about the sepulture of the hero in flowery prose

Examples of usage

  • The entombment of the pharaoh was a grand ceremony.
  • After the entombment, the mourners gathered to pay their respects.
  • The entombment took place at sunset.
  • The entombment site was decorated with flowers.
  • Family members attended the entombment.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old French 'entombement', which itself originates from the Latin 'entombare', meaning 'to place in a tomb.'
  • The root 'tomb' has roots in ancient Greek, where the word 'tybos' means a 'burial place'.

Cultural Practices

  • Many ancient civilizations, like Egyptians and Greeks, had unique burial practices that included elaborate tomb constructions.
  • In Victorian England, elaborate mausoleums became popular, reflecting the era's views on death and mourning.

Psychological Context

  • The concept of entombment can signify closure and a way for loved ones to grieve, marking the end of one's physical presence.
  • In various cultures, rituals around burial can impact the grieving process, offering solace and a sense of peace to the bereaved.

Literature

  • Entombment often appears in literature as a metaphor for isolation or being trapped, as seen in Edgar Allan Poe's works.
  • Many poets symbolically refer to entombment to express themes of loss, memory, and the passage of time.

Historical Significance

  • The entombment of notable figures often leads to significant historical events, such as public mourning ceremonies or political changes.
  • Burial sites of historical figures can become sites of pilgrimage, reflecting cultural heritage and collective memory.

Translations

Translations of the word "entombment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sepultamento

🇮🇳 दफनाना

🇩🇪 Beisetzung

🇮🇩 penguburan

🇺🇦 поховання

🇵🇱 pochówek

🇯🇵 埋葬

🇫🇷 inhumation

🇪🇸 entierro

🇹🇷 defin

🇰🇷 매장

🇸🇦 دفن

🇨🇿 pohřeb

🇸🇰 pohreb

🇨🇳 埋葬

🇸🇮 pokop

🇮🇸 greftrun

🇰🇿 жерлеу

🇬🇪 დაფლა

🇦🇿 dəfn

🇲🇽 entierro

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,370, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.