Meaning & Definition of word "Morgue"

Morgue

/mɔːrɡ/

noun:

  • 1. A place where dead bodies are kept, especially for identification or before burial.
    • Example: The detective visited the morgue to examine the body for clues.
  • 2. A reference to a repository of information, often used metaphorically for a collection of discarded or obsolete material.
    • Example: The old files in the office were relegated to the digital morgue, rarely accessed by anyone.

Etymology

The word 'morgue' comes from the French 'morgue', which refers to a place where corpses are kept. Its origin is possibly linked to the Latin 'mors', meaning 'death'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

morgue file:

A collection of photographs of unidentified corpses or crime scene images for investigative purposes.

morgue conditions:

A colloquial term used to describe a very cold and lifeless atmosphere.

Related Words

mortuary:

A place where dead bodies are prepared for burial or cremation.

coroner:

An official responsible for investigating deaths, particularly those happening under unusual circumstances.

autopsy:

A medical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death.

Slang Meanings of morgue

Meaning: A term used in a morbid or humorous context to indicate a location where one feels lifeless.

Example Sentence: This party feels like a morgue!

Meaning: In a figurative sense, referring to a very dull place or situation.

Example Sentence: The meeting was a total morgue.