> as lemmas

1594 S. Daniel Cleopatra ii, in Delia (new ed.) sig. K2 [Cleopatra] crau'd also that shee might Performe her last rites to her lost belou'd.

1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. ix. xiv. 614/2 The last rites [of Richard II] were performed by the Bishop of Chester, the Abbats of S. Alban and Waltham.

1640 D. Featley et al. Θρηνοικος xxvii. 530 The occasion of our meeting..is to performe this last rite to the body of a Child that God hath taken lately to his mercie.

1686 T. Otway tr. S. de Broë Hist. Triumvirates I. li. 197 They gave him [sc. Pompey] the last Rites; the sadness of which Ceremony was very particular.

1723 P. Aubin Life Charlotta Du Pont xx. 217 He adminster'd the last Rites of the Church, and about four in the Morning she expired.

?a1764 W. Rider New Hist. Eng. II. 124 No sooner had he [sc. Alfred the Great] paid the last rites to his deceased brother, than he engaged with the Danes at Wilton.

1829 T. C. Halliburton Hist. & Statist. Acct. of Nova-Scotia I. i. 32 Previous to his death he received the last rites of religion.

1881 M. Majendie Turn of Tide II. iv. 56 The priest bent forward, the last words were spoken, the last rite was accomplished.

1922 C. Kerr Cecil Marchioness of Lothian xv. 228 Dr Talbot said Mass in her room and she was given the last rites of the Church.

1950 ABA Jrnl. June 497/3 He joined the client at the tavern in damning the judge—which is the last rite in closing an unsuccessful case.

2001 D. Powell T. Benn ii. 50 All that would remain to the left would be to read the last rites over socialism.