committal

Everyday

1. (church) The part of a funeral when the body is buried or cremated, with a final prayer. tree →
2. (law) Officially sending someone to prison, court or a hospital. tree →
3. Promising yourself firmly to something (more often: commitment). tree →

In the lessons

Met in church and adult life (the committal service at the graveside) and in law (committal to trial). It tells the reader about a serious formal step. Phrases: committal service, committal to prison, committal for trial.

Examples

• After the church service, the family went to the cemetery for the committal. tree →
• The vicar read the words of committal at the graveside. tree →
• The judge ordered his committal to prison. tree →
• The case was sent for committal to a higher court. tree →
• The committal was short and quiet. tree →
• Only close family went to the committal. tree →
• During the committal the coffin was lowered into the grave. tree →

Note

Countable: committals. Formal; mostly used for funerals and law. Not the same as "commitment" (a promise or dedication) or "acquittal" (being found not guilty). Spelling: double m, double t.