The active process of or associated with the process of ceasing to be or passing from life. Drawing to an end or declining.
Dying is a part, but only a part of our entire life experiences.
Death is the outcome of dying. Death is not the same as dying--an active process.
To be dying is still to be alive. People who are dying are living human beings; they continue to be living persons as long as they are dying.
Also known as: ending of life, end of life, failing, expiring, passing
Examples
1. About to die: dying patient.
2. Drawing to an end; declining: in the dying hours of the legislative session.
3. Done or uttered just before death: a dying request.
Sources:
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Ed. 2003. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Corr CA. Nabe CM. Corr DM. 2003. Death and Dying Life and Living. 4th Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Thomson Learning Publishing Co.
WordNet Search - 2.1. Dying. Cognitive Science Laboratory. Princeton University. <http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=dying>
