rigor mortis

noun

rig·​or mor·​tis

ˌri-gər-ˈmȯr-təs,

also chiefly British

ˌrī-ˌgȯ-ˈmȯ-təs 

: 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

But officers who responded said that rigor mortis had set in, a possible indication the boy had been left for longer than his dad claimed, authorities said. —Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025

The machine will then cut the gill to pump out the blood to place the fish into rigor mortis, the state of stiffness. —Andrew Watman, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Similarly, cold environments can delay the onset and duration of rigor mortis, or body stiffening. —Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024

This is essentially rigor mortis — but for only an isolated area. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, stiffness of death

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rigor mortis

• abortus
• fortis
• tortoise

Kids Definition

rigor mortis

noun

rig·​or mor·​tis ˌrig-ər-ˈmȯrt-əs 

: 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