MUMMIFICATION Meaning and
Definition
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Mummification refers to a complex and intricate process of preserving a dead body, most commonly practiced in ancient cultures. It involves various techniques and procedures that aim to prevent decomposition and ensure long-term preservation of the body.
The process of mummification typically begins with the careful removal of internal organs, such as the brain, lungs, intestines, and stomach. These organs are usually stored separately, often in containers known as canopic jars. The body is then thoroughly cleansed and treated with preservatives, such as natron, a naturally occurring salt mixture that helps to dehydrate the body.
Once the body is adequately dried, it is carefully wrapped in multiple layers of linen bandages. These bandages are often adorned with intricate patterns and amulets meant to provide protection and guidance to the deceased in the afterlife.
Mummification is commonly associated with ancient Egypt, where it was practiced for thousands of years. It was believed that preserving the body would ensure the continued existence of the soul in the afterlife. However, mummification has also been observed in other cultures such as the Incas, the Maori of New Zealand, and various Indigenous tribes of South America.
In contemporary usage, the term "mummification" can also be metaphorically applied to processes or situations wherein something is preserved or kept in a state of immutability, as if mummified in time.
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1. Dry gangrene, 2. The shrivelling of a dead and retained fetus. 3. In dentistry, (1) dry gangrene of the pulp of a tooth; (2) the condensation of a tooth pulp by means of astringents.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The act of making into a mummy.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of MUMMIFICATION
The word "mummification" derives from the Latin term "mummia", which referred to a type of resinous substance used in the embalming process. The Latin term itself likely came from the Arabic word "mūmiyā" (مومياء), which means "bitumen" or "pitch". The Arabic term was likely derived from the Persian word "mūm" (موم), meaning "wax". The process of mummification involved the preservation of bodies using various substances, including resins and oils, which led to the association with the term "mummia" and eventually "mummification".
Similar spelling word for MUMMIFICATION
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