noun
rigor
Stiffness of the body, especially after death or during illness.
The examiner checks the body's joints for signs of rigor.
Etymology
Latin rigor means stiffness or rigidity. The medical sense directly preserves that physical condition, especially the stiffening that follows death.
More examples
- The body shows early signs of rigor mortis.
- As rigor develops, the limbs become harder to move.
- The muscles relax again after rigor passes.
Forms
rigor
rigid adjective — Stiff and difficult to bend or move.
Similar words
- stiffness
- A broader term covering mild discomfort and limited bodily flexibility.
- rigidity
- Describes resistance to movement without specifically suggesting death or illness.