Exequy

/ˈɛksɪkwi/ noun

Definition

A funeral rite or solemn ceremony for the dead; the singular form of exequies.

Etymology

Singular form of exequies, from Latin exsequiae. This variant preserves the Latin singular form, though in English the plural form is far more commonly used than this singular.

Kelly Says

You'll almost never encounter 'exequy' in modern English because speakers defaulted to using the plural 'exequies' for singular situations—a process called reanalysis where a plural word becomes treated as a mass noun.

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