adipocere

American  

[ad-uh-poh-seer] / ˈæd ə poʊˌsɪər /

noun

1. a waxy substance produced by the decomposition of dead animal bodies in moist burial places or under water.

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adipocere British  

/ ˌædɪpəʊˈsɪə, ˈædɪpəʊˌsɪə /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: grave-wax. a waxlike fatty substance formed during the decomposition of corpses

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Other Word Forms

• adipocerous
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of adipocere

1795–1805; < French adipocire, equivalent to adipo- adipo- + cire wax < Latin cēra; English e by association with cēra; cf. cere ²

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Explanation

The other names of adipocere, "grave wax" and "corpse wax," might give you an idea of what it is: This hard, waxy substance is formed in dead bodies under certain special circumstances. Adipocere is formed only when a body is in a wet, oxygen-free environment without any scavengers, such as insects, to break down the tissues. Under these specific conditions, the body's own fat reacts with water in a process that chemically creates a type of soap! That's right: Soap is made by combining fats with other ingredients, including those present in a waterlogged grave. The result is a waxy, off-white or grayish cast of the body — just don't try to wash with it.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adipocere

The fat had reacted with moisture to create a waxy substance called adipocere, which can protect a body from decay.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 28, 2022

Geochemical analysis then revealed the rotting balls were made of tilapia adipocere, a hard, waxy substance that feels slippery, like soap, Simpson said.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 30, 2013

In the Salton Sea, tilapia adipocere is tinted orange to brown.

From Scientific American ● Oct. 30, 2013

Other postmortem changes, such as adipocere, the decomposition of fat, can preserve the appearance of a body’s soft tissues for years but interfere with an autopsy because it makes the tissue crumbly and chalky.

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2012

The autopsy on the exhumed body of Perrotte Mace was inconclusive, owing to the condition of adipocere.

From She Stands Accused by Victor MacClure

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