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What is "obsequies"

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
obsequies
noun
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ He also wished to leave because the nuns were still engaged in the obsequies preceding the funerals of their two dead colleagues.
▪ She just hoped she would be spared a pressing invitation to his obsequies.
▪ Some of the obsequies that marked Chris Woodhead's passing spoke of his work to improve school standards.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Obsequies

Obsequy \Ob"se*quy\, n.; pl. Obsequies. [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi: cf. F. obs[`e]ques. See Obsequent, and cf. Obsequious.]

  1. The last duty or service to a person, rendered after his death; hence, a rite or ceremony pertaining to burial; -- now used only in the plural.
    --Spencer.

    I will . . . fetch him hence, and solemnly attend, With silent obsequy and funeral train.
    --Milton

    I will myself Be the chief mourner at his obsequies.
    --Dryden.

    The funeral obsequies were decently and privately performed by his family.
    --J. P. Mahaffy.

  2. Obsequiousness. [Obs.]
    --B. Jonson.

Obsequies

Obsequies \Ob"se*quies\, n. pl. See Obsequy.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
obsequies

"funeral rites," plural of obsequy.

Wiktionary
obsequies

n. 1 (label en pluralonly) funeral rites 2 see obsequy

Usage examples of "obsequies".

Accordingly, with the sound of coodoo horns and marimbas, she caused a proclamation to be made in the various quarters of the town, that the obsequies of the deceased monarch would be celebrated on the next evening with all due solemnity.

All initiation is but introductory to the great change of death Baptism, anointing, embalming, obsequies by burial or fire, are preparatory symbols, like the initiation of Hercules before descending to the Shades, pointing out the mental change which ought to precede the renewal of existence.

I have to see to the obsequies for poor Azrael Twelve, Brother Cawdor.

In Hasjarl's Hall of Sorcery, that Lord let his slaves robe him for the obsequies, while not neglecting to direct the search for his traitorous champion Fafhrd, to instruct the shaft-watchers in the precautions they must take against Gwaay's attempts to return the poppy dust, perchance with interest, and to tutor his sorcerers in the exact spells they must use against Gwaay once Quarmal's body was devoured by the flame.