thanato-
Death.
[Greek thanatos, death.]
Thanatos in Freudian theory is the death instinct, often expressed in violent aggression; thanatology is the scientific study of death and the practices associated with it; thanatopsis (Greek opsis, sight) is a view or contemplation of death; thanatophobia (Greek phobos, fear) is a morbid fear of death.
Visit Michael Quinion’s World Wide Words site for 2000+ articles on English!
Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Page last updated 23 September 2008.
Your comments and suggestions on the site are very welcome.