pyre
pronunciation
How to pronounce pyre in British English:
UK [ˈpaɪə(r)]
How to pronounce pyre in American English:
US [paɪr]
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- Noun:
- wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
Word Origin
- pyre (n.)
- 1650s, from Latin pyra and directly from Greek pyra "funeral pyre; altar for sacrifice; any place where fire is kindled," from pyr "fire," cognate with Old English fyr (see fire (n.)).
Example
- 1. Lighted the pyre with the beating of its wings .
- 2. The old rajah 's body , indeed , now appeared upon the burning pyre ;
- 3. Next minute the daughter is ash on the pyre .
- 4. And you 'll fall like ashes on a bright burning pyre .
- 5. The act of a hindu widow willingly cremating herself on the funeral pyre of her dead husband .