Rigor mortis Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun temporary stiffness of joints and muscular rigidity occurring after death
  2. noun muscular stiffening that begins 2 to 4 hours after death and lasts for about 4 days

WordNet


Definitions
  1. L. , rigor of death , death stiffening; the rigidity of the muscles that occurs at death and lasts till decomposition sets in. It is due to the formation of myosin by the coagulation of the contents of the individual muscle fibers.

Webster 1913