cadaver

[kuh-dav-er]

noun

1. a dead body, especially a human body to be dissected; corpse.

cadaver

/ kəˈdeɪvə, -ˈdɑːv- /

noun

1. med a corpse

Other Word Forms

• cadaveric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cadaver¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin cadāver dead body, corpse; akin to cadere to fall, perish ( decay, chance )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cadaver¹

C16: from Latin, from cadere to fall

Synonym Study

See body.

Related Words

• carcass 
• corpse 
• skeleton 

When To Use

What is a cadaver?

A cadaver is a dead body, especially a dead human body.The word cadaver is sometimes used interchangeably with the word corpse, but cadaver is especially used in a scientific context to refer to a body that is the subject of scientific study or medical use, such as one that will be dissected.It’s sometimes used as a modifier (adjective) in phrases that involve cadavers. For example, cadaver tissue is tissue that has been harvested from a donor body. A cadaver dog is a dog that has been specially trained to track the scent of dead bodies in searches for missing persons.Example: The cadavers are carefully preserved before they are prepared for dissection.