Infant, Not Working No More

Grice played "Pavane pour une infante defunte".

This is a difficult piece. Not so much in the performance, but in the meaning. It comprises a few words which are clear enough in meaning: 'pour' and 'une'. However, the nominal elements ("pavane", "infante" and "defunte") are all malaprops.

defunct.

1590s, from O.Fr. defunct (14c., Mod.Fr. defunt) or directly from L. defunctus "dead".

literally:

"off-duty," from pp. of defungi "to discharge, finish," from de- "off, completely" (see de-) + fungi "perform or discharge duty," from PIE base *bheug- "to enjoy" (see brook (v.)).