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
Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 2 Aug. 2024
Firefighters who attempted to provide aid to Pankratz said his mouth was stiff, indicating rigor mortis.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2024
The next day, a guard found Taylor, 28, in her cell − rigor mortis had already started.
—Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 2 June 2024
Johnston said that evening a patient died in the ICU and wasn't discovered until rigor mortis had set in.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 13 May 2024
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“Rigor mortis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rigor%20mortis. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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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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