means a torchlight procession (from the Latin, funis, a torch), because funerals among the Romans took place atnightby torchlight, that magistrates and priests might not be violated by seeing a corpse, and so be prevented from performing their sacred duties.
“Funus [a funeral], from funes or funalia [torches] … . . originally made of ropes.”—Adams: Roman Antiquities (Funerals).
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