disinter

[ dis-in-tur ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·in·terred, dis·in·ter·ring.

1. to take out of the place of interment; exhume; unearth.
2. to bring from obscurity into view:

   The actor's autobiography disinterred a past era.

disinter

/ ˌdɪsɪnˈtɜː /

verb

1. to remove or dig up; exhume
2. to bring (a secret, hidden facts, etc) to light; expose

Derived Forms

• ˌdisinˈterment, noun

Other Words From

• disin·terment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disinter¹

First recorded in 1605–15; dis- ¹ + inter

Example Sentences

The Department of Defense had undertaken the arduous task of disinterring and sorting through the commingled skeletons.

From Los Angeles Times

Cordingley found Lucy McCormick’s grave marker in Portland, informed the family — they were stunned — and later watched as she was disinterred.

From Seattle Times

The Army has disinterred 32 remains of Native American children and returned them to their families and tribes at the Army’s expense since 2017, the OAC spokesperson said.

From Seattle Times

Army Corps of Engineers, before dredging and straightening the river, disinterred this Potter’s Field.

From Seattle Times

On July 15, 2019, the agency disinterred the remains and sent them to its laboratory for analysis, where they were accounted for as Hill’s, it said.

From Seattle Times