deathbed

• death-bed, death bed

From Middle English dethbed, from Old English dēaþbedd (“deathbed; grave”), equivalent to death +‎ bed. Cognate with Swedish dödsbädd (“deathbed”). Compare also Dutch sterfbed (“deathbed”), German Sterbebett and Totenbett (both “deathbed”), Danish dødsleje (“deathbed”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛθˌbɛd/

deathbed (plural deathbeds)

1. The bed on which someone dies.
   • 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 254:

     He was once on his way to an old woman, who was on her death-bed and who had led a wicked life.

2. The last hours before death.

All three forms deathbed, death-bed, death bed are in use but deathbed seems to be preferred.

• deathbed conversion
• on one's deathbed