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Glite Dictionary
to embalm a body

to embalm a body

9.8
To stop a dead body from decaying by using chemicals or other methods
  • phrasal verb
  • /ɪmˈbɑlm ə ˈbɑdi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : embalsamar un cuerpo
  • It is common practice to embalm a body for an open-casket funeral.

Examples

  • After the autopsy, the mortician proceeded to embalm a body before the viewing.

  • The funeral director will embalm a body for the service.

  • Some religions have specific rituals they follow when they embalm a body.

  • They embalmed a body to preserve it for the viewing.

  • The mortician used special chemicals to embalm a body, ensuring it looked lifelike for the funeral.

  • During the preparation of the deceased, the team will embalm a body to prevent any decomposition for the wake.

  • To honor the family's wishes, he decided to embalm a body before the memorial service.

Synonyms

to embalm
vsto embalm a body
  • Specialized
28 9.0

Treat a dead body with chemicals to stop it from decaying

has identical meaning but highlights chemical and other preservation methods
to mummify
vsto embalm a body
17 8.3

Preserve a dead body by drying it to keep it from rotting

focuses on chemical or general methods rather than drying and shriveling

How Preserved

to mummify
17 8.3
to embalm a body
  • Specialized
9.8
to preserve
496 3.4
to bury
∞ 1.7

Surface Forms

embalm a body infinitive
embalmed a body past
embalmed a body past participle
embalming a body present participle
embalms a body third person singular

Morphology

embalm + a + body

The verb 'embalm' already denotes the process of preserving a dead body, so combining it with 'a body' is fully compositional and does not change or obscure the meaning. The determiner 'a' is semantically neutral and the concept is cross-linguistically common, so a learner who knows 'embalm' and 'body' will understand the phrase.

Etymology

Embalm a body may come from ancient people putting sweet oils and a balm on a dead person to stop the body from rotting, so the verb embalm came to mean 'to preserve a dead body'.