‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. nekro`s dead + &unr_; way of life, fr. &unr_; life. ] (Biol. & Med.) The death of a part of an organism by molecular disintegration and without loss of continuity, as in the processes of degeneration and atrophy; a normal dying out of cells in a tissue, in contrast to necrosis. Virchow. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

a. (Biol. & Med.) Of or pertaining to necrobiosis; as, a necrobiotic metamorphosis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. nekro`s a dead person + &unr_; to worship. ] The worship of the dead; manes worship. H. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. nekro`s a corpse + -lite. ] (Min.) Same as Necronite. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , a. [ Cf. F. nécrologique. ] Of or pertaining to necrology; of the nature of necrology; relating to, or giving, an account of the dead, or of deaths. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who gives an account of deaths. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Necrologies [ Gr. nekro`s a dead person + -logy: cf. F. nécrologie. See Necromancy. ] An account of deaths, or of the dead; a register of deaths; a collection of obituary notices. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who practices necromancy; a sorcerer; a wizard. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. nigromaunce, nigromancie, OF. nigromance, F. nécromance, nécromancie, from L. necromantia, Gr. &unr_;; nekro`s a dead body (akin to L. necare to kill, Skr. naç to perish, vanish) + &unr_; divination, fr. &unr_; diviner, seer, akin to E. mania. See Mania, and cf. Internecine, Noxious. The old spelling is due to confusion with L. niger black. Hence the name black art. ] The art of revealing future events by means of a pretended communication with the dead; the black art; hence, magic in general; conjuration; enchantment. See Black art. [ 1913 Webster ]

This palace standeth in the air,
By necromancy placèd there. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An abnormal attraction to dead bodies.
Syn. -- necrophilia. [ WordNet 1.5 ]