1. Muscular stiffening that begins 2 to 4 hours after death and lasts for about 4 days
   "The forensic team used the onset of rigour mortis to estimate time of death"
    
2. Temporary stiffness of joints and muscular rigidity occurring after death
   "The forensic team estimated the time of death based on the onset of rigour mortis"

Type of: physical condition, physiological condition, physiological state, rigidification, rigidifying, stiffening

Encyclopedia: Rigor mortis