demise

/di'maiz/

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Explanation of the Word "Demise"

Part of Speech: Noun and Verb

Usage Instructions

• Use "demise" when talking about the end of something significant, like a person's life, a business, or a plan.
• Be careful using it as a verb; it's more common to see it used as a noun.

Example Sentences

1. Noun: "The sudden demise of the old tree was sad for everyone in the neighborhood."
2. Noun: "His plans for a new business faced demise when he lost funding."
3. Verb: "She decided to demise her property to her children in her will."

Advanced Usage

• In formal contexts, "demise" is often used to discuss legal matters or philosophical discussions about life and death.
• You might encounter it in literature or news articles when discussing significant events.

Word Variants

• Demise (noun): Refers to the end or death.
• Demise (verb): To transfer property.
• There aren't many direct variants, but related words include "demiseable" (able to be transferred through will or lease).

Different Meanings

1. Death: The most common meaning, often used in a serious context.
2. End of an idea or plan: Referring to when something is no longer viable or active.

Synonyms

• For death: passing, end, departure, expiration.
• For the end of plans: failure, collapse, termination.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• While "demise" itself isn't commonly used in idioms, you might hear phrases like:
  • "The writing is on the wall." (This means that something is about to end.)
  • "To meet one's maker." (A euphemism for dying, related to the concept of demise.)

Summary

The word "demise" is a useful term when discussing endings, particularly in serious or formal contexts. Remember that while it can refer to death or the end of plans, its verb form is less common.

Academic

Noun

1. the time when something ends
   • it was the death of all his plans
   • a dying of old hopes

Verb

1. transfer by a lease or by a will

Synonyms

• death
• dying