Graveyard
/ˈɡreɪv.jɑːd/
Definition
Meaning: A burial ground or cemetery, a place where the dead are buried.
Signification: Lieu d’enterrement ou cimetière, où les morts sont inhumés.
Note: The word "graveyard" often conjures imagery of quiet, solemn spaces and is frequently associated with history, remembrance, and sometimes eerie tales. While "graveyard" and "cemetery" are often used interchangeably, a graveyard is typically adjacent to a church. For example, in the village of Barford, there’s a beautiful medieval church with an old graveyard. A cemetery, on the other hand, refers more broadly to any designated burial ground, often separate from religious establishments.
Word Analysis
In French: Cimetière ♦ Terrain d’inhumation ♦ Champ de repos Synonyms: Cemetery ♦ Burial ground ♦ Churchyard Antonyms: Playground ♦ Park ♦ Sanctuary
Example Dialogue
Jean: "Did you visit the old graveyard near the church?" Marie: "Yes, it’s so peaceful there, and the tombstones are fascinating." Jean: "Some date back to the 18th century. It’s like walking through history." Marie: "I agree. It’s a place of reflection and remembrance."
Etymology
Origin: The term "graveyard" derives from the Old English "græf" (meaning "grave") and "geard" (meaning "yard" or "enclosure"). Together, the term refers to a place where graves are situated. It has been used since the 13th century and initially referred to the area surrounding a church where burials took place. Over time, it has expanded to include any burial ground.
Audience
The term graveyard is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly when referring to burial grounds or historical sites. It is neutral in tone and is often used in discussions related to history, culture, or religious practices.
When to use: The term can be used in a variety of contexts, such as discussing places of burial, religious ceremonies, or historical events. It is suitable for use in both respectful and casual conversations, but care should be taken when discussing the topic of death, as it may evoke sensitive emotions in some individuals.
Dictionary Meaning
Here's an official definition of graveyard by The Cambridge Dictionary
News snippet
"Gaza is becoming a "graveyard for children", U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday, amplifying demands for a ceasefire in the enclave, where Palestinian health authorities said the death toll from Israeli strikes had exceeded 10,000."
Read the full article at The Daily Maverick
Poem
On my desk there is a stone with the word "Amen" on it, a triangular fragment of stone from a Jewish graveyard destroyed many generations ago. The other fragments, hundreds upon hundreds, were scattered helter-skelter, and a great yearning, a longing without end, fills them all Read the full poem 'The Amen Stone' [by Yehuda Amichai] on this page
Common Idioms and Expressions
Graveyard shift: A work shift that takes place late at night, typically from midnight to the early morning hours.
Graveyard of dreams: A place or state where people's hopes, ambitions, or projects go to fail or be abandoned.
Like a graveyard: Describing a place or situation that is eerily silent or devoid of life or activity.
Graveyard of the internet: Refers to abandoned or obsolete websites or forums that no longer have active users.
Graveyard of cars: A place where old, unused, or damaged cars are stored, for dismantling or salvage.
Graveyard humour: Dark humour, often related to death or morbidity, that is not typically appreciated by all audiences.
Graveyard cough: A bad cough, indicative of impending death.
Whistle past the graveyard: Try to appear confident or carefree in an ominous, dangerous situation.
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