rigor mortis

noun

rig·​or mor·​tis
ˌri-gər-ˈmȯr-təs,
also chiefly British
ˌrī-ˌgȯ-ˈmȯ-təs How to pronounce rigor mortis (audio)
: temporary rigidity of muscles occurring after death

Did you know?

Rigor mortis, which translates from Latin as "stiffness of death", sets in quickly and usually ends three or four days after death. The condition results from a lack of certain chemicals in the muscles; it may be affected by muscular activity before death as well as the external temperature. Mystery writers frequently make use of rigor mortis as a means by which the detective or the examiner can determine the time of the victim's death, which often turns out to be all-important in solving the case.

Examples of rigor mortis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web According to the prosecutor, rigor mortis was already setting in. Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2024 Near a dirt path, county officials found the animal, cold and stiff from rigor mortis. Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023 The researchers observed female European common frogs stretching their arms and legs straight from the body, in a way that could appear similar to rigor mortis, Dittrich said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2023 According to prosecutors, emergency responders said Garner’s body was already cold and rigor mortis had already set in, as well as bruising. William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 25 Aug. 2023 Court records also show that when the child, Nicholas Ward, was brought to the hospital by John Michael Ward and the mother, the child was not breathing, had no pulse, was cold to the touch and rigor mortis had already begun to set in. Warren Kulo | Wkulo@al.com, al, 31 Aug. 2023 To delay rigor mortis for up to a few days, fish can be deep-frozen immediately after they are caught. Elsbeth Sites, Discover Magazine, 22 Apr. 2014 Serna was discovered an hour later, deceased, with rigor mortis setting in, the county Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board investigation found. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 June 2023 Lucca Mortis is chiming, rhyming with rigor mortis. Vulture, 3 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rigor mortis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, stiffness of death

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rigor mortis was in 1847

Dictionary Entries Near rigor mortis

Cite this Entry

“Rigor mortis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor%20mortis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rigor mortis

noun
rig·​or mor·​tis ˌrig-ər-ˈmȯrt-əs How to pronounce rigor mortis (audio)
: temporary stiffness of muscles occurring after death
Etymology

from scientific Latin, literally "stiffness of death," from Latin rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigid

Medical Definition

rigor mortis

noun
rig·​or mor·​tis
ˌrig-ər-ˈmȯrt-əs also chiefly British ˌrī-ˌgȯ(ə)r-
: temporary rigidity of muscles occurring after death

More from Merriam-Webster on rigor mortis

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!