No longer existing, living, or functioning; dead or obsolete. It describes something that has ceased to operate or exist, often referring to organizations, systems, or practices.
From Latin 'defunctus,' past participle of 'defungi' meaning 'to finish, discharge one's duty' (de- 'completely' + fungi 'to perform'). Originally meant 'having completed one's function,' which evolved to mean 'no longer functioning.'
Think 'de-' + 'function' - something defunct has lost its function! Like old technology: record players, fax machines, and flip phones are becoming defunct as new tech replaces them.
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