MOR'TUARY, noun 1. A sort of ecclesiastical heriot, a customary gift claimed by and due to the minister of a parish on the death of a parishioner. It seems to have been originally a voluntary bequest or donation, intended to make amends for any failure in the payment of tithes of which the deceased had been guilty. 2. A burial place. MOR'TUARY, adjective Belonging to the burial of the dead.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI