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rigor-mortis
Rigor-mortis (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology
IPA:
What does rigor-mortis mean?
A natural process that occurs in the muscles of a deceased body, leading to the stiffening and inflexibility of the limbs and joints.
"The body was in the advanced stages of rigor mortis when it was found."
Detailed Meaning of Rigor-mortis
This phenomenon typically begins a few hours after death and is a result of chemical changes in the muscle tissues. During rigor mortis, the body's muscles gradually become rigid and difficult to move, eventually reaching a state of full stiffness. The onset, duration, and progression of rigor mortis can vary depending on factors such as ambient temperature and the individual's age at the time of death. While rigor mortis is a temporary condition and eventually subsides as the body continues to decompose, it is often used as one of the indicators to estimate the time of death in forensic investigations.
Example Sentences for Rigor-mortis
1. Rigor mortis set in, making it difficult to move the deceased's limbs.
2. The forensic expert noted the stage of rigor mortis in the body.
3. Detectives used the degree of rigor mortis to estimate time of death.
4. Rigor mortis is a natural postmortem process affecting muscle tissue.
5. The coroner's report indicated the presence of advanced rigor mortis.
6. The onset of rigor mortis is a key factor in death investigations.
Origin and Etymology of Rigor-mortis
The noun 'rigor mortis' has a fascinating etymology rooted in Latin. It is formed by combining two Latin words: 'rigor,' meaning 'stiffness' or 'rigidity,' and 'mortis,' which translates to 'of death' or 'pertaining to death.' The term 'rigor mortis' can be directly translated as 'the stiffness of death' in Latin. This etymology precisely captures the natural process it describes, wherein the muscles of a deceased body stiffen and become inflexible shortly after death, a phenomenon that has been observed and studied for centuries in the context of forensic science and anatomy.
Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding
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More Usage Examples of Rigor-mortis
1. Careful handling of the deceased is necessary during rigor mortis.
2. Rigor mortis typically starts a few hours after death.
3. The stiffness of rigor mortis made the body hard to maneuver.
4. Examining the degree of rigor mortis helps determine the timeline.
5. The pathologist observed the gradual fading of rigor mortis.
6. Rigor mortis can be used to confirm the time of death accurately.
7. The detective considered the stage of rigor mortis as a crucial clue.
8. It's challenging to pose a body once rigor mortis has set in.
9. The presence of rigor mortis can indicate recent or early death.
10. The medical examiner assessed the extent of rigor mortis carefully.
11. The onset of rigor mortis can vary depending on environmental factors.
12. Forensic scientists study the chemistry behind rigor mortis.
13. Rigor mortis gradually subsided as the body decomposed.
14. Detectives rely on rigor mortis evidence for solving crimes.
15. Rigor mortis set in quickly due to the cold temperatures.
16. The forensic team used rigor mortis to determine the time of death.
17. The victim's limbs were stiff from rigor mortis during the autopsy.
18. The stiffening of the muscles due to rigor mortis can make it difficult to move a body.
19. The mortician had to wait for rigor mortis to pass before embalming the body.
20. Rigor mortis is a natural process that occurs after death.
21. The detective noticed that rigor mortis had set in, indicating the death was recent.
22. Rigor mortis can be used to help determine if a death was natural or a result of foul play.
23. The pathologist studied the effects of rigor mortis on the body during the examination.
24. Rigor mortis can last for several days before the body becomes limp again.
25. The process of rigor mortis is caused by a chemical change in the muscles after death.
Synonyms and Related Words for Rigor-mortis
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✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.
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✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT