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Ilicet

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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(for ire licet, "you may go"), a solemn word pronounced at the conclusion of the funeral rites among the ancient Romans. It was uttered by the praefica or some other person at the close of the ceremony, after the bones and ashes of the deceased had been committed to the urn, and the persons present had been thrice sprinkled with pure water from a branch of olive or laurel for the purpose of purification. From the occasion on which the word ilicet was employed, it is sometimes used proverbially among Roman authors to signify all is over.