Words / C1

POST-y-um-uh-s/ˈpɒstjʊməs/

Posthumous means happening, awarded, or published after the person’s death: a posthumous dedication, a posthumous paper. Death (already in the dictionary) is everyday; ceremony is not a named spare.

Meaning

Happening or published after the person’s death (from death, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A posthumous dedication is ceremony, not a named spare on the rota.”
• “Death is already in this course. After-death is the close twin. A dedication is ceremony. A name on the log is cover. Write the name; then keep the dedication if the sitting still stands.”

Good to know

After the person’s death. Everyday: death (already in the dictionary). A dedication ≠ cover.

Near in meaning

after-death, post-mortem, commemorative

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