morgue

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“
No, no, the morgue is the last place that lends itself to decoration.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun A place in which the bodies of persons found dead are kept until identified and claimed or until arrangements for burial have been made.
  2. noun A reference file in a newspaper or magazine office.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (2)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (1)

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Examples (50)

  • "It only goes back as far as 1981, the year our library system—formerly known as the morgue—was computerized," she said cheerfully. —  Buchanan, Edna - Cold Case Squad (v1.0) (html).html
  • The temperature in the morgue was always low, even during the summer, because the room was underground. —  Karin Slaughter - Blindsighted
  • So finding myself at the door to the morgue was a nasty shock. —  Emma Bull - Finder
  • No, no, the morgue is the last place that lends itself to decoration. —  The world's great sermons, Volume 08 Talmage to Knox Little
  • The leading comedian is a sad affair He would make a good understudy for a morgue, and that's about all. —  The Sorrows of a Show Girl
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Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French, from la Morgue, building in Paris used as a morgue, probably from morgue, haughty manner, from Old French morguer, to look at solemnly, from Vulgar Latin *murricāre, to make a face, from *murrum, muzzle.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from French morgue, a haughty demeanor, haughtiness, arrogance, conceit, formerly a sad or severe countenance, a solemn or sour visage, from Old French morguer, look at solemnly or sourly, F. brave, defy; origin obscure.
  2. from French morgue, a morgue, a transferred use of Old French morgue, “in the chas-telet of Paris, a certain chair wherein a new-come prisoner is set, and must continue some hours, without stirring either head or hand, that the keepers ordinary servants may the better take notice of his face and favour” (Cotgrave); from morguer, look at solemnly or sourly: see morgue.
 

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/mɔrg/
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