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English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From death + stiffness.
Noun
death-stiffness (uncountable)
- Temporary stiffness of the body's muscles and joints following death; rigor mortis.
1869, The Student, and Intellectual Observer, volume 2, page 146:If the muscles of cold-blooded animals are heated to a temperature of 40° C, the " warmth-rigidity" (Wärmestarre), a condition very similar to death-stiffness, is superinduced. The cause of the death-stiffness and warmth-stiffness, is in the fact that certain fluid ingredients [...]
1878, United States. Dept. of Agriculture, Report - Page 517:Before death stiffness occurs in the hind parts, generally in one hip or leg; the head and ears droop, and dullness and stupor are observed.