decease
UK[dɪˈsiːs]US[dɪˈsiːs]
n
the death of a person.
v
to die.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
cease
de
away, off
cease
to stop
Etymology
the word 'decease' originates from the latin verb 'decedere', which is a compound of the prefix 'de-' (meaning 'away, off') and the verb 'cedere' (meaning 'to go'). its literal sense was 'to go away, to depart'. in medieval latin legal language, 'decessus' (the past participle form) was used as a euphemism for 'departure from life', or death. this specialized legal and formal usage was adopted into middle english via old french 'deces', carrying the abstract meaning of 'departure from life' rather than the physical act of going away, which solidified its modern meaning as a formal term for death.
Analysis
Structure: de (away, off) + cease (to stop)
'de-' is a prefix from latin, meaning 'away, off, from'. 'cease' is from latin 'cedere', meaning 'to go, to yield, to stop'.
Examples
the estate was divided following the decease of the patriarch.
the document must be filed within thirty days of the individual's decease.
he decease without leaving a will.