Cremation. World English Historical Dictionary

Cremation. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1893, rev. 2025. Cremation

[ad. L. cremātiōn-em, n. of action f. cremāre (see prec.).] The action of burning or cremating; spec. the reduction of a corpse to ashes as a way of disposing of it in lieu of interment; an instance of this practice.

1

1623.  Cockeram, Cremation, Burning.

2

1658.  Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., ii. 4. The Solemnities, Ceremonies, Rites of their Cremation or enterrment, so solemnly delivered by Authors.

3

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 87, ¶ 4. The custom of voluntary cremation is not yet lost among the ladies of India.

4

1851.  D. Wilson, Preh. Ann., II. III. vi. 160. When cremation was abandoned for inhumation.

5

1882.  Pall Mall Gaz., 6 June, 1/2. The cremation of Garibaldi … is to be carried out in accordance with his last will and testament.

6

1884.  Pall Mall Gaz., 7 March, 3/2. Mr. Justice Stephen’s recent decision that cremation … is a legal proceeding has naturally stirred the Cremation Society of England to be up and doing.

7

  Hence Cremationism, nonce-wd., the advocacy or ‘cause’ of cremation. Cremationist, one who advocates cremation as a means of disposing of the bodies of the dead.

8

1884.  Fargo (Minnesota) Argus, Feb. Cremationism is on the increase.

9

1875.  F. S. Haden, Earth to Earth, 6. The Cremationists whose position I must venture to think untenable.

10

1885.  Manch. Exam., 22 June, 5/3. The revelations made … excited the cremationists immensely.

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