Legal Dictionary

deceased

Legal Definition of deceased

Related term


Definition of deceased

Etymology

    From English decease + -ed, from Middle English deceas via Old French from Latin dÄ"cessus (“departureâ€), equivalent to Latin dÄ"ced-, variation of Latin dÄ"cÄ"dre (“to go awayâ€).

Pronunciation

  • (US) enPR: dÄ"-sÄ"st' IPA: /di.'sist/
  • Audio (US) [?]
  • Rhymes: -iËst

Adjective

deceased (not comparable)

  1. (law): One who has died. In property law, the alternate term decedent is generally used. In criminal law, “the deceased†refers to the victim of a homicide.

Usage notes

  • Not to be confused with diseased (affected with or suffering from disease)

Noun

deceased (plural deceased)

  1. (law): One who has died. In property law, the alternate term decedent is generally used. In criminal law, “the deceased†refers to the victim of a homicide.

Usage notes

  • Deceased is commonly used in legal and journalistic settings. Departed is most commonly used in religious settings.

References:

  1. Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.



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