rigor mortis
noun
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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
Tom Duszynski, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Then the spiral cord is disrupted to prevent rigor mortis and the blood is completely removed.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The paramedic also noticed rigor mortis was present in their lower limbs.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 30 June 2025
An Ormond Beach police officer arrived at the home at 2:49 p.m. and reported being unable to perform CPR due to the boy being in rigor mortis, Volusia County Sheriff Michael Chitwood said during the news conference.
—Mark Price, Miami Herald, 20 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Rigor mortis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor%20mortis. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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rigor mortis
noun
from scientific Latin, literally "stiffness of death," from Latin rigēre "to be stiff" — related to rigid
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