MEANING
Postmortem discoloration caused by blood settling under gravity in dependent parts of the body.
Use it for
A body's position after death; misleading bruise-like color; evidence that remains were movedUse the distribution of discoloration as a clue, not a magical timestamp.
Words that belong together
- fixed livor mortis
- pattern of livor mortis
- examine livor mortis
On the page
Livor mortis darkened the body's lower side.
The pattern of livor mortis did not match the position in which she was found.
He compared the apparent bruises with the distribution of livor mortis.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- livor mortis
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Forensic term; distinguishes settled blood from a bruise. It can inform investigation but is not an exact independent clock for death. Usually uncountable in this sense; no routine plural.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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