Morgue: meaning, definitions and examples
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morgue
[ mɔːrɡ ]
place of dead
A morgue is a facility used to store the bodies of deceased individuals, particularly for forensic examination or if the cause of death needs to be determined. Morgues are often found within hospitals, medical examiner's offices, and funeral homes. They provide a controlled environment that helps preserve the body until it can be identified and prepared for burial or cremation. The term is often associated with investigations into sudden or suspicious deaths, where autopsies may need to be performed. The presence of a morgue in a city is crucial to maintaining public health and assisting law enforcement in criminal cases.
Synonyms
coroner's office, dead house, mortuary
Examples of usage
- The police took the body to the morgue for examination.
- He worked as a pathologist in the local morgue.
- A morgue is essential in the investigation of homicides.
- Witnesses were questioned after the body was found near the morgue.
Translations
Translations of the word "morgue" in other languages:
🇵🇹 necrotério
🇮🇳 शवगृह
🇩🇪 Leichenschauhaus
🇮🇩 rumah duka
🇺🇦 морг
🇵🇱 kostnica
🇯🇵 死体安置所
🇫🇷 morgue
🇪🇸 morgue
🇹🇷 ölü evi
🇰🇷 시체 안치소
🇸🇦 المشرحة
🇨🇿 morg
🇸🇰 morg
🇨🇳 停尸房
🇸🇮 mrliška veza
🇮🇸 líkhús
🇰🇿 мөр
🇬🇪 გარდაცვლილთა სახლი
🇦🇿 meşğul
🇲🇽 morgue
Etymology
The word 'morgue' originates from the French term 'morgue,' which referred to a place for storing and identifying deceased bodies. The etymology can be traced back to the medieval Latin term 'morgue' or 'morgu,' derived from the verb 'morguer,' meaning 'to stay silent' which references the quiet, serious nature of such a place. The term gained prominence in English during the 19th century, paralleling advances in forensic science and the need for official procedures in dealing with the deceased. Initially, morgues served multiple historical functions including storage, examination, and the identification of bodies; gradually, they became more specialized facilities as modern medicine evolved. Today, morgues play a vital role not just in healthcare but also in law enforcement and public health, serving as necessary structures in the handling of deceased individuals.