Mortaja (en. Shroud)

/morˈtaxa/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
Decorative element for funerals.
The shroud was adorned with flowers.
La mortaja estaba adornada con flores.
Clothing with which a deceased person is wrapped.
The body was placed in the shroud before the burial.
El cuerpo fue colocado en la mortaja antes del entierro.
Garment that symbolizes death or mourning.
The elderly woman kept a shroud as a memento of her husband.
La anciana guardaba una mortaja como recuerdo de su marido.

Etymology

From Latin 'mortacia', which refers to death.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to die in the shroud
Expression indicating that one reaches death without having fulfilled a dream or desire.
morir en la mortaja
dress yourself in a shroud
Phrase used to indicate that someone should prepare for death.
vístete de mortaja

Related Words

shroud
Fabric that covers the body of a deceased person.
sudario
funeral
Ceremony held after a person's death.
funeral
burial
Place where a deceased person is buried.
sepultura

Slang Meanings

A way to refer to death humorously.
When told he had little time, he said he was already choosing his shroud.
Cuando le dijeron que tenía poco tiempo, dijo que ya estaba eligiendo su mortaja.
Colloquial term to describe someone who is very ill.
That poor person is in the shroud, he doesn't feel well at all.
Ese pobre está en la mortaja, no se siente bien para nada.