Rigor Mortis
/ˈrɪɡər ˈmɔːrtɪs/noun
The stiffening of a body’s muscles after death.
Did you know?Rigor mortis occurs when muscle cells can no longer produce ATP, preventing the chemical release that allows muscles to relax.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“To die or disappear; the ancient root behind the death-related Latin family.”
Classical Latin
Latin
rigēre
“To be stiff, rigid, or cold.”
Classical Latin
Latin
rigor
“Stiffness, rigidity, or numb coldness.”
Classical Latin
Latin
mors, mortis
“Death; mortis is the genitive form, meaning “of death.””
17th Century
New Latin
rigor mortis
“A medical phrase meaning the stiffness of death, used to describe postmortem muscular rigidity.”
Modern English
English
rigor mortis
“The temporary stiffening of muscles after death, followed later by relaxation as decomposition advances.”