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pay the debt of nature. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
pay the debt of nature, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
pay the debt of nature in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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pay the debt of nature, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Verb
pay the debt of nature (third-person singular simple present pays the debt of nature, present participle paying the debt of nature, simple past and past participle paid the debt of nature)
- (euphemistic) To die.
- Synonym: pay nature's debt
1828, Henry Hunter, Sacred biography, or, The history of the patriarchs, volume 1, page 36:The venerable father of the human race had now himself paid the debt of nature.
1850, T. S. Arthur, “Deacon Smith and his Violin”, in Sketches of Life and Character, Philadelphia: J. W. Bradley, →OCLC, page 76:Ten years after he had seen his son married, become a church member, and give up his carnal delights, old Deacon Smith paid the debt of nature. His last days he always called his best days.