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exequy

[ ek-si-kwee ]

noun

, plural ex·e·quies.
  1. Usually exequies. funeral rites or ceremonies; obsequies.
  2. a funeral procession.


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Other Words From

  • ex·e·qui·al [ek-, see, -kwee-, uh, l], adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of exequy1

1350–1400; Middle English exequies (plural) < Medieval Latin, Latin exequiae literally, train of followers, equivalent to ex- ex- 1 + sequ ( ī ) to follow) + -iae, feminine plural noun suffix
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Example Sentences

In his elegy for his first wife Jannice, he adopted the form used by the 17th century Bishop Henry King in "An Exequy".

The Exequy:"—   "Sleep on, my love, in thy cold bed,   Never to be disquieted!

Blithe was each valley, and each shepherd proud, While he did chant his rural minstrelsy: Attentive was full many a dainty ear, Nay, hearers hung upon his melting tongue, While sweetly of his Fairy Queen he sung; While to the waters' fall he tun'd for fame, And in each bark engrav'd Eliza's name: And yet for all this unregarding soil Unlac'd the line of his desired life, Denying maintenance for his dear relief; Careless care to prevent his exequy, Scarce deigning to shut up his dying eye.

Exequy on his Wife ACCEPT, thou shrine of my dead saint, Instead of dirges this complaint; And for sweet flowers to crown thy herse Receive a strew of weeping verse From thy grieved friend, whom thou might'st see Quite melted into tears for thee.

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More About Exequy

What is an exequy?

An exequy is a funeral procession, such as a hearse carrying the deceased person and cars of mourners driving in a slow line to a cemetery for burial.

An exequy is also any formal ceremony for the burial, internment, or cremation of a deceased person in a religion or culture. The term can be used to reference a specific rite such as a religious service or the entire process from funeral to burial. 

A rare word, exequy is almost never used to describe one funeral or funeral rite, although it’s used to describe one funeral procession. Instead, the plural exequies is used to discuss more than one funeral or funeral rites, as well as more than one funeral procession.

Example: The cars in the long exequy moved slowly through our neighborhood on their way to the cemetery.

Where does exequy come from?

The first records of the term exequy are from around the late 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Latin exequiae, meaning “train of followers.”

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What are some other forms related to exequy?

  • exequial (adjective)

What are some synonyms for exequy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with exequy

What are some words that often get used in discussing exequy?

How is exequy used in real life?

A rare word, exequy is almost always used to discuss a procession. The plural form, exequies, is used for multiple funeral rites or funeral processions.

Try using exequy!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for exequy?

A. funeral
B. burial
C. baptism
D. obsequy

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