moribund

Pluralmoribunds

1. 1
   in declineadjectivefiguratively

   In terminal decline; lacking vitality or progress and nearing its end.

   Investors are wary of pouring money into a moribund coal industry.

   The once-lively debating society was moribund, with only three members left.

   UsageUsually of businesses, economies and groups that are failing: a moribund industry, a moribund economy.

   Similardying, stagnant, waning

   Oppositethriving, flourishing, booming

2. 2
   near deathadjective

   Close to death and about to die.

   Several moribund fish floated near the surface of the polluted pond.

   Doctors judged the soldier moribund and turned to those who could still be saved.

   Similardying

   Note

   Joseph Conrad's The Heart of Darkness (1899) uses it for dying figures who are free as air, and nearly as thin; the "fading institution" meaning grew from this same picture.

3. 3
   dying personnoun

   A person who is close to death.

   The field hospital set aside a separate tent for the moribund.

   The old hospice took in the moribund whom no other hospital would admit.

   UsageUsually the moribund, meaning dying people as a group.

   Similardying

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