Finesentence logo

Predeceased: meaning, definitions and examples

⚰️
Add to dictionary

predeceased

 

[ ˌpriːdɪˈsiːst ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

time of death

To predecease means to die before someone else does. It is often used in legal contexts, particularly concerning inheritance and wills. When one individual predeceases another, it can affect the distribution of their estate if the latter is named as a beneficiary. The term highlights the order of deaths and can be significant in understanding family dynamics or the implications for surviving relatives.

Synonyms

die before, pass away earlier

Examples of usage

  • My grandfather predeceased my grandmother.
  • He predeceased his wife by several years.
  • Many relatives predeceased her before she turned 50.

Translations

Translations of the word "predeceased" in other languages:

🇵🇹 falecido antes

🇮🇳 पूर्वजन्म

🇩🇪 vorverstorben

🇮🇩 meninggal sebelum

🇺🇦 попередньо померлий

🇵🇱 zmarły przed

🇯🇵 先に亡くなった

🇫🇷 prédecédé

🇪🇸 fallecido antes

🇹🇷 önce ölmüş

🇰🇷 먼저 세상을 떠난

🇸🇦 توفي قبل

🇨🇿 předcházející

🇸🇰 predchádzajúci

🇨🇳 已故

🇸🇮 preminuli pred

🇮🇸 af fari

🇰🇿 бұрын қайтыс болған

🇬🇪 წინასწარ გარდაცვლილი

🇦🇿 əvvəlki vəfat etmiş

🇲🇽 fallecido antes

Word origin

The term 'predeceased' is formed from the prefix 'pre-', meaning 'before', coupled with the verb 'decease', which is derived from the Latin 'decedere', meaning 'to depart' or 'to die'. 'Decease' itself has its roots in Middle English and Old French. The use of 'predeceased' has been formalized in English legal terminology to clarify inheritance issues. The notion of dying before someone else has been relevant in various cultural contexts, often linked to family trees and genealogies. Legal documents began incorporating such terms prominently during the 19th century, emphasizing the importance of order in matters of estate distribution. Today, it serves as a critical term in estate planning, ensuring that individuals understand the implications of their wills and potential scenarios where they may not outlive their heirs.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,006, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.