Definition of NECROPOLIS

necropolis

Meanings

Plural: necropoleis, necropoles, necropoli, necropolises

Noun

  • a tract of land used for burials
  • A cemetery; especially a large one in or near a city.
  • An ancient site used for burying the dead, particularly if consisting of elaborate grave monuments.
  • A city or settlement where most people are dead and/or dying.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Koine Greek νεκρόπολις (nekrópolis, “city of the dead, cemetery”) (used to describe part of the city of Alexandria, Egypt), from Ancient Greek νεκρός (nekrós, “dead”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *neḱ- (“to disappear; to perish”)) + πόλις (pólis, “city”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tpelH- (“city; fortification”)). The English word is analysable as necro- + -polis, and is cognate with French nécropole, German Nekropolis, Late Latin necropolis.
The plural form necropoleis is derived from Ancient Greek νεκροπόλεις (nekropóleis).

Synonyms

boneyard, Boot Hill, burial ground, burial site, burying ground, camposanto, cemetery, churchyard, crypt, God's acre, gravestead, graveyard, kirkyard, lichyard, marble orchard, memorial park, necropole

Scrabble Score: 14

necropolis is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
necropolis is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
necropolis is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 18

necropolis is a valid Words With Friends word