Careful Words

deceased (n.)

deceased (adj.)

He first deceased; she for a little tried

To live without him, liked it not, and died.

Sir Henry Wotton (1568-1639): Upon the Death of Sir Albert Morton's Wife.

  The young gentleman, according to Fates and Destinies and such odd sayings, the Sisters Three and such branches of learning, is indeed deceased; or, as you would say in plain terms, gone to heaven.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616): The Merchant of Venice. Act ii. Sc. 2.

The spirit walks of every day deceased.

Edward Young (1684-1765): Night thoughts. Night ii. Line 180.