undertaker
noun
Did you know?
You may wonder how the word undertaker made the transition from "one who undertakes" to "one who makes a living in the funeral business." The latter meaning descends from the use of the word to mean "one who takes on business responsibilities." In the 18th century, a funeral-undertaker was someone who undertook, or managed, a funeral business. There were many undertakers in those days, undertaking all sorts of businesses, but as time went on undertaker became specifically identified with the profession of arranging burial. Today, funeral director is more commonly used, but undertaker still appears.
Examples of undertaker in a Sentence
Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024
When the undertaker hired by Dillinger’s family arrived to take the body, the coroner told him to come back the next day.
—Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2024
Dillinger’s body was driven to the bank robber’s small hometown near Indianapolis by his father and half brother and the undertaker.
—Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2024
The black-on-black ensemble suggests he’s arrived in France for an undertaker’s convention.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Undertaker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertaker. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
undertaker
noun
Medical Definition
undertaker
noun
called also mortician
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