† ˈobital, a. and n. Obs.
[f. obit n. + -al1: the etymological form from L. obitu-s is obitual.]
A. adj. Recording or commemorating a death or deaths, or the celebration of obits (see prec. 2 b).
| 1690 Wood Life (O.H.S.) III. 330 May 10..alderman Thomas Fifield died. [Entered] in obital book. 1691 ― Ath. Oxon. I. 415 This obital book..I have in my little Library. 1694 ― Life 10 July (O.H.S.) III. 460 Edward Wells..spoke a speech in praise of Dr. John Fell (being his obitall day). 1715 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. 121 The White-Book, or Obital-Book of that Church. |
B. n. A record or register of deaths, or of obit-days; an obituary.
| 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 415 This English obital was pen'd by another Benedictine. |