OBSEQUIES

Noun

obsequies pl (plural only)

(pluralonly) Funeral rites.

plural of obsequy.

plural of obsequie.

Usage notes

• the plural only usage is favored by the Oxford Dictionary, and thus can be considered to be British, whereas Webster's dictionary, with prevalence of the usage in the plural being noted, gives both singular and plural forms of the word.

• in modern usage, not to be confused with obsequious

Anagrams

• Essequibo

Source: Wiktionary

Ob"se*quies, n.pl.

Definition: See Obsequy.

OBSEQUY

Ob"se*quy, n.; pl. Obsequies. Etym: [L. obsequiae, pl., funeral rites, fr. obsequi: cf.F. obsèques. 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition