graveyard
Graveyard
/ˈɡreɪv.jɑːrd/
Definition
Meaning: A burial ground or cemetery; a place where the dead are interred. Especially a burial ground that is beside a church. [ lieu d’enterrement où les morts sont inhumés ].
While “graveyard” and “cemetery” are often used interchangeably, a graveyard traditionally refers to a burial ground attached to a church (e.g., the ancient churchyard in an English village), whereas a cemetery is any standalone burial place.
Word Analysis
In French
▪ [ Cimetière ]
▪ [ Terrain d’inhumation ]
▪ [ Champ de repos ]
English synonyms
▪ [ Cemetery ]
▪ [ Burial ground ]
▪ [ Churchyard ]
Etymology
From Old English græf (“grave, ditch”) + geard (“enclosure, yard”). First recorded in the 13th century to describe the enclosed area around a church reserved for burials. Over centuries the meaning broadened to any burial ground.
When & How to Use
Use in formal or informal contexts discussing burial sites, history, literature, or Halloween tales. The word carries a solemn, sometimes eerie tone, so use sensitively when real loss is involved.
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