tomb

English

/tuːm/, /tum/

noun
Definitions
  • A small building (or "vault") for the remains of the dead, with walls, a roof, and (if it is to be used for more than one corpse) a door. It may be partly or wholly in the ground (except for its entrance) in a cemetery, or it may be inside a church proper or in its crypt. Single tombs may be permanently sealed; those for families (or other groups) have doors for access whenever needed.
  • A pit in which the dead body of a human being is deposited; a grave.
  • One who keeps secrets.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English tombe (tomb) derived from Old French tombe derived from Latin tumba (small mound) derived from Ancient Greek τύμβος (swell, tomb, grave, burial mound, a sepulchral mound, small mound, funeral mound) derived from Proto-Indo-European *tewh₂- (swell, crowd, grow, become strong, be strong) inherited from Middle English tomben.

Origin

Middle English

tomben

Gloss

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