Definition

1. Noun:
   • A burial chamber or vault: A tomb is a structure, typically underground or within a building, that houses the remains of the dead. It is often a permanent, enclosed space.
   • A grave, especially a large or elaborate one: A tomb can refer to a burial place marked by a monument, such as a tombstone or mausoleum, distinguishing it from a simple grave.

Usage

• The primary use is to denote a final resting place for a corpse, often implying a structure of some permanence and architectural significance.
• It is used in both historical/archaeological contexts (e.g., ancient tombs) and modern ones (e.g., a family tomb).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Archaeologists discovered an ancient Egyptian tomb filled with artifacts.
  • The poet was laid to rest in a simple tomb in the churchyard.
  • Visitors placed flowers on the marble tomb.

Advanced Usage

• "The tomb": Can be used poetically or figuratively to represent death itself.
  • He was sealed in the tomb for eternity.
• "Tomb-like" (adjective): Describing something that resembles or is as silent, dark, or cold as a tomb.
  • The abandoned house had a tomb-like atmosphere.

Variants and Related Words

• Tombstone (n): A stone marking a grave, typically inscribed with the name and details of the deceased.
  • The tombstone was weathered but the inscription was still clear.
• Entomb (v): To place in a tomb; to bury.
  • The pharaoh was entombed with great ceremony.
• Crypto (n): Short for "crypt," an underground chamber or vault, often beneath a church, used as a chapel or burial place. This is a related architectural term.

Synonyms

• Grave: A place of burial, generally simpler than a tomb.
• Sepulcher: A stone chamber or monument where the dead are buried; a formal synonym for tomb.
• Mausoleum: A large, stately tomb or a building housing tombs.
• Vault: A burial chamber, often underground.

Related Phrases

• To rob a tomb: To steal valuables from a burial place (often used in archaeological or criminal contexts).
  • The curse was said to fall upon anyone who dared to rob the tomb.
• Sealed tomb: A tomb that has been closed off, often for centuries.
  • The sealed tomb had not been opened since the 15th century.

Idioms

• (As) silent as the tomb: Extremely quiet.
  • After everyone left, the library was as silent as the tomb.

Noun

1. a place for the burial of a corpse (especially beneath the ground and marked by a tombstone)
   • he put flowers on his mother's grave