Defunct

Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/dɪˈfʌŋkt/

Definitions

• No longer existing, functioning, or active.
• Out of use; obsolete or extinct.

Usage Examples

• The company became defunct after several years of financial loss.
• The defunct website was taken down after its owner declared bankruptcy.
• The defunct machinery was replaced with newer, more efficient equipment.

Etymology

From the Latin "defunctus," past participle of "defungi" meaning "to finish, to discharge (a duty)." The word evolved in English to mean "no longer in existence" or "out of use." First recorded in the early 17th century.

Synonyms

• Obsolete
• Extinct
• Inactive
• Nonexistent
• Gone

Antonyms

• Active
• Alive
• Operational
• Existing
• Functioning

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "defunct" remains relatively consistent across English-speaking regions. However, in some accents, the vowel sound in the first syllable may be pronounced more distinctly, with a clearer "u" sound in the American English pronunciation, compared to a more neutral sound in British English.

Historical Usage

Historically, the word "defunct" was used primarily in relation to people or positions that had ceased to exist or operate. By the late 19th century, it began to be applied to organizations, institutions, and even concepts that had fallen into obsolescence. It has been frequently used in legal and administrative contexts to refer to entities that no longer perform their duties or have ceased to exist.

Cultural Nuances

The term "defunct" can be used metaphorically to describe social practices, trends, or even ideas that have fallen out of favor or been replaced by more modern alternatives. In some cultures, the concept of defunct entities is linked to ideas of tradition and the passage of time, where older practices are replaced by new methods or technologies.

More Information

Defunct is often used to describe things that are no longer functioning or have ceased to be relevant in a contemporary context. This term can apply to everything from defunct businesses and obsolete technologies to defunct ideologies or even cultural practices. The term emphasizes finality—things that are no longer expected to come back or be revived. In the modern era, defunct organizations are often remembered in historical discussions, as they represent a certain moment in time that has passed.