Definition of mortuary
- a. - A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed
by, and due to, the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner.
It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation,
intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of
which the deceased had been guilty.
- a. - A burial place; a place for the dead.
- a. - A place for the reception of the dead before burial; a
deadhouse; a morgue.
- a. - Of or pertaining to the dead; as, mortuary monuments.