moribund

Definitions

From Latin morī ('to die') + -bundus ('in the state of doing') = 'in the act of dying.' Literally it describes a patient near death; figuratively, and far more commonly, it describes anything fading toward extinction — a moribund industry, a moribund language. Note the spelling keeps mor-, the verb stem, not mort-.

Common Collocations

• 1.moribund industry衰落的产业
• 2.moribund economy萎靡的经济
• 3.moribund language濒危语言
• 4.moribund institution名存实亡的机构

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The once-thriving factory town is now economically moribund.

• 2.

  Critics called the peace talks moribund after months of deadlock.

• 3.

  The doctors could do little for the moribund patient.