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moribondo

dying

adjective moh-ree-BON-doh Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Also means

moribund

Usage Note

Moribondo describes a person or animal at the point of death, but is also used figuratively for institutions or systems in terminal decline — un'industria moribonda (a dying industry). The feminine form is moribonda; it is not a false friend but learners often confuse it with 'morbid'.

Examples

"Il paziente era moribondo quando arrivò l'ambulanza."

Natural Translation

The patient was dying when the ambulance arrived.

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