semimortous
In a state of being half-dead or severely depleted of vitality. It is often used to describe extreme physical or mental exhaustion where a person or entity feels barely functional or near collapse.
Examples
3 of 5After working three consecutive double shifts, Mark arrived home in a semimortous state.
After working three consecutive double shifts, Mark arrived home in a half-dead state.
The legislation sought to revive the semimortous industries of the rust belt.
The legislation sought to revive the dying or stagnant industries of the rust belt.
I'm totally semimortous after that gym session; don't expect me to go out tonight.
I'm totally exhausted after that gym session; don't expect me to go out tonight.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'semi' (half) and 'mort' (death, like Voldemort). If you are semimortous, you are halfway to the grave because you are so tired!
Quick Quiz
The marathon runner collapsed at the finish line, looking ____ after the grueling twenty-six-mile race.
Correct!
The correct answer is: semimortous
Examples
After working three consecutive double shifts, Mark arrived home in a semimortous state.
everydayAfter working three consecutive double shifts, Mark arrived home in a half-dead state.
The legislation sought to revive the semimortous industries of the rust belt.
formalThe legislation sought to revive the dying or stagnant industries of the rust belt.
I'm totally semimortous after that gym session; don't expect me to go out tonight.
informalI'm totally exhausted after that gym session; don't expect me to go out tonight.
The specimen appeared semimortous, showing minimal response to external stimuli during the experiment.
academicThe specimen appeared half-dead, showing minimal response to external stimuli during the experiment.
The board discussed how to salvage the semimortous project before it drained all remaining capital.
businessThe board discussed how to salvage the failing project before it drained all remaining capital.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a semimortous existence
a life lived with no energy, purpose, or vitality
rendered semimortous
made to be half-dead or totally spent
left for semimortous
abandoned in a state of near-death (play on 'left for dead')
Often Confused With
Moribund specifically implies the process of dying or approaching death, while semimortous emphasizes the 'halfway' state of depletion.
Semimortal refers to a mythological being that is half-god and half-human; semimortous refers to a state of exhaustion or decay.
Usage Notes
This is an advanced, literary term most common in high-level English proficiency tests or gothic literature. It is typically used metaphorically to describe people who are extremely tired or systems that are failing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse this with 'immortal' because of the 'mort' root; remember that 'semi-' means half, not 'not'. It should not be used in casual speech where 'exhausted' would suffice.
Memory Tip
Think of 'semi' (half) and 'mort' (death, like Voldemort). If you are semimortous, you are halfway to the grave because you are so tired!
Word Origin
Constructed from the Latin prefix 'semi-' (half) and 'mors' (death), following the adjective pattern seen in words like 'stertorous'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term evokes imagery from 19th-century romantic or gothic literature, describing characters in a state of physical or spiritual trance.
Quick Quiz
The marathon runner collapsed at the finish line, looking ____ after the grueling twenty-six-mile race.
Correct!
The correct answer is: semimortous
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