Defunct, spelled Duh-fuhngkt, is an adjective that means "no longer existing or functioning." It is derived from the Latin word "defunctus," meaning "dead." The first syllable is pronounced with the vowel sound "uh," followed by the consonant sound "f" and the vowel sound "uh" again. The final syllable is pronounced with the consonant sound "ng," the vowel sound "k," and the consonant sound "t." Proper spelling is crucial for clear communication, and knowing the phonetic pronunciation of a word can aid in its accurate spelling.
Defunct is an adjective that refers to something that no longer functions, operates, or exists. It describes entities, systems, organizations, or objects which have ceased to be active, functional, or effective.
When applied to businesses or organizations, defunct conveys the notion that the enterprise has permanently closed its doors, ceased operations, and is no longer in existence. It implies that all activities, products, or services associated with that establishment have come to an end, usually due to bankruptcy, insolvency, or irreparable failure.
Furthermore, defunct can be used to describe systems that have become outdated, obsolete, or superseded by newer alternatives. It suggests that these systems are no longer in use and have been replaced or abandoned due to technological advancements or changes in societal needs.
In a broader sense, defunct can also be employed to depict something that has lost its importance, relevance, or vitality. It characterizes things that were once influential, functional, or potent but have diminished over time, becoming defunct in their impact, or simply outgrown by newer, more innovative counterparts.
In summary, defunct emphasizes the state of something that was once functioning, operational, or valuable but has ceased to exist, operate, or maintain its relevance or effectiveness.
• A dead person.
• Having ended life; dead.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "defunct" originated from the Latin term "defunctus", which is the past participle of the verb "defungi". In Latin, "defungi" meant "to discharge one's office" or "to finish". Over time, the meaning of "defungi" evolved to signify "to die" or "to depart from life". This Latin term later made its way into Old English, where it became "defunct" with the same meaning. In its current usage, "defunct" denotes something that is no longer in existence, functioning, or operating.