In literature, “defunct” is deployed not only to denote that something is no longer functioning or alive but also to evoke a sense of obsolescence, decay, or even nostalgic loss. Authors apply it to physical states, as when a character or institution is portrayed as having “died” or become ineffectual—whether it is a literal cessation, like a defunct project [1] or the deceased confederacy [2], or a more figurative portrayal of emotional or societal demise, such as a defunct aristocracy [3] or a collapse of cultural ideals [4]. The term carries a rich, multifaceted quality that ranges from the somber and reflective, as in modernist musings on the self [5], to ironic commentary on outdated systems or roles, highlighting the enduring poignancy of what has passed away [6].