Defunctness

/dɪˈfʌŋktnəs/ noun

Definition

The state or quality of being defunct; the condition of no longer functioning or existing.

Etymology

From 'defunct' plus '-ness,' creating an abstract noun. Defunct itself comes from Latin 'defunctus,' past participle of 'defungi' meaning to finish or complete.

Kelly Says

The Latin root 'fungor' means 'to perform' or 'to execute'—so defunct literally means 'finished performing,' which is why the word originally meant dead before expanding to mean any loss of function.

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