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posthumous Definition

post·humous (päs′cho̵o məs, -tyo̵o-)

adjective

  1. born after the father's death
  2. published after the author's death
  3. arising or continuing after one's death

Etymology: LL posthumus, for L postumus, after death, orig., last, superl. of posterus (see posterior): altered in LL by assoc. with humus, ground or humare, to bury (as if meaning “born after the father is buried”)

posthumous Related Forms
post′·humous·ly adverb
posthumous Synonyms

posthumous

modif.

after death, continuing, future; see post-mortem.

posthumous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • pardon: Derek Bentley was finally granted a well deserved posthumous pardon in 1998.
  • fame: Or maybe I'll gain posthumous fame as an Internet test case.
  • reputation: Despite his enormous success during his life, Verdi's posthumous reputation slumped.
  • portrait: This is thought to be a posthumous portrait of his father, painted in 1746.
  • medal: He did award posthumous medals of honor to the families of several soldiers on 22 April 1971 and on several other occasions... .
  • award: Dudley Moore 8 Who was the first actor to win a posthumous Best Actor award?

Modifying Another Word

  • only: The George Cross and a Commendation for Bravery were the only posthumous civilian awards until November 1977.