Definition

1. Noun:
   • A list of people who have died recently: A necrology is a published register or roll of persons who have died within a specific period, often associated with an institution, community, or publication.
   • A notice or obituary of someone's death; usually includes a short biography: A necrology can also refer to a single biographical notice commemorating a deceased person, detailing their life and achievements.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The monastery keeps a detailed necrology of all its members who have passed away.
  • The journal published a necrology for the esteemed professor, summarizing her contributions to science.

Advanced Usage

• "To compile a necrology": The act of assembling a list or record of the deceased.
  • The historical society worked to compile a necrology of the town's founders.

Variants and Related Words

• Necrological (adj): Pertaining to a necrology or obituary.

  • The article included necrological details about the artist's early life.

• Obituary (n): A notice of a death, typically published in a newspaper, often synonymous with the second meaning of "necrology."

Synonyms

• Obituary: A published notice of death, often with a biography.
• Death notice: A brief announcement of a person's death.
• Roll of the dead: A list naming those who have died.

Notes on Meaning

The word "necrology" has two closely related meanings. The first emphasizes a collective, often formal list. The second meaning overlaps significantly with "obituary," focusing on a biographical sketch of an individual. The context usually clarifies which sense is intended.

Noun

1. a list of people who died recently
2. a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography