thanatopsis
1
9.9
- noun
- /θænəˈtɑp.sɪs/
- Archaic
- Thanatopsis: If it isn't resolved by Monday evening...
Examples
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The poet wrote a beautiful thanatopsis that explored his thoughts on mortality.
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Many writers create a thanatopsis as a way to confront their fear of dying.
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This book contained such American works as Thanatopsis, The Village Blacksmith, and selections from Cooper's The Deer Slayer and The Pilot, as well as works by Scott and Dickens.
Academic text (2014) -
In her literature class, they studied a thanatopsis that offered a deep reflection on death.
Synonyms
1
9.9
Deep, quiet thinking or a short thoughtful essay
How Reflective
Surface Forms
Morphology
thanatopsis = thanat + opsis
Formed from learned Greek combining elements ('thanat-' = death, '-opsis' = view) that are not recognizable as standalone English words for average learners, so the meaning cannot be derived transparently.
Etymology
The word thanatopsis comes from Greek parts thanatos 'death' and opsis 'view', and the same opsis is in synopsis 'a short view'. So it literally means a 'view of death', which is why a thanatopsis is an essay or piece of writing that thinks about death.