burial
UK[ˈberiəl]US[ˈberiəl]
n
the act or ceremony of putting a dead body into a grave
Morpheme Breakdown
bury
al
bury
al
Etymology
the word "burial" originates from the old english verb 'byrgan', which meant to raise a mound, hide, or inter a body. this verb is of germanic origin, likely related to the proto-germanic burgijaną, meaning "to keep safe" or "to conceal." the noun was formed in middle english by adding the suffix '-al', borrowed from latin '-alis', which commonly forms nouns of action from verbs. thus, the literal progression is from the concept of concealing or protecting by covering with earth to the modern, specific ceremony of interment.
Analysis
Structure: bury + al
bury (from old english 'byrgan', meaning to raise a mound, to hide, to bury; functional role: root verb) + al (from latin '-alis', forming adjectives; functional role: suffix forming nouns of action)
Examples
the burial will take place at the local cemetery at noon.
ancient burial mounds can be found scattered across the landscape.
she chose a simple, green burial without a traditional coffin.