Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
deadcake. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
deadcake, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
deadcake in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
deadcake you have here. The definition of the word
deadcake will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
deadcake, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Calque of Dutch doodkoek (literally “death cake”), equivalent to dood + koek (English dead + cake).
Noun
deadcake (plural deadcakes)
- (historical) A small cake or cookie served at a funeral in Dutch-settled colonial New York, often with the initials of the deceased inscribed.
1905, George S. Roberts, Old Schenectady, page 45:The cakes were of an especial kind and were called "deadcakes." In the case of a funeral in the family of the rich, or of those high-up in the official life of the Colony, large sums were spent on the wine and it was not unusual for a supply of it to be put in the cellar long before the first death so that it would be on hand and improving by age.
1980, Jonathan Pearson, First Reformed Church of Schenectady, Three centuries: the history of the First Reformed Church of Schenectady, 1689-1980:...and of the festivities following Dutch Reformed Church funerals, during which the men who had been invited met after the interment and heartily (some said riotously) toasted the departed with choice wine and "deadcakes" prepared especially for the occasion.
2009, Don Corbly, The Last Colonials, →ISBN, page 191:In addition, they delivered a bottle of wine, a pair of gloves, and two “deadcakes” that were actually large cookies not to be eaten, but kept as a memento of the deceased.