Inter
/ɪnˈtɜr/
verbB2
Definition
To inter means to put a dead person or animal into a grave or place underground. It is a formal word used mostly in ceremonies or official talk about burial. Inter is about placing the body carefully and respectfully in the earth.
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See It in Action
To place a dead body into the ground
- •The family decided to inter their grandfather in the local cemetery.
- •Soldiers who died in battle were interred with full honors.
- •After the funeral service, they interred the ashes in a small garden.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "inter" like "bury" (A1 word), but more formal and often used in writing or ceremonies.
- ✓Picture a quiet place with a grave where people gently put a coffin into the ground.
- ✓It's the feeling of respect and sadness when saying goodbye to someone who has died.
- ✓Sounds like "in-ter" → imagine putting something "in" the earth, like a treasure or a memory.
- ✓In stories or movies, when a hero dies, they are often interred with honor.
- ✓NOT like "throw away" (careless action), inter is careful and respectful.
- ✓NOT like "hide" (to keep secret), inter is about placing someone in a final resting place.
- ✓NOT like "cremate" (burning the body), inter means placing the body in the ground.
Try Other Words
- •Bury: to put something in the ground (Use in everyday situations)
- •Entomb: to place a body in a tomb or above-ground structure (Use when talking about placing in a special stone or building)
- •Inhume: to bury (Use in very formal or old-fashioned contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: No prefix or suffix here; "inter" is a root verb from Latin
- •Etymology: From Latin "interrare," meaning "to put into the earth" ("inter" = between/among + "terra" = earth)
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 14th century to mean burial of the dead
- •Modern usage: Mostly in formal writing, religious ceremonies, or historical texts about burial
Reflect & Connect
•How does the word "inter" change the feeling or tone compared to simply saying "bury"?
•Why do you think some cultures have special words like "inter" for burial instead of just using "bury"?
Fill in the blanks
1.After the funeral, the family gathered to ___ their loved one in the cemetery.
2.The soldiers were ___ with full military honors to show respect for their sacrifice.
3.To ___ a body means to place it carefully in the ground as part of a burial ceremony.
4.Unlike cremation, to inter means to put the body ___ the earth.
5.The priest said prayers before they ___ the coffin in the grave.
6.When someone is ___, it often happens after a formal ceremony or service.
7.The word "inter" sounds like putting something ___ the earth, showing where the body goes.