livor mortis

[lahy-vawr mawr-tis, -ver]

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.,  a bluish-purple discoloration of the skin on the dependent parts of a dead human body, caused by hypostasis, or accumulation of blood due to the action of gravity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of livor mortis¹

From Latin livor “bluish-purple” + mortis “of death”

Example Sentences

Livor mortis, when blood settles to the lowest part of the body, begins soon after death, and the blood is “set” within about six hours, says A.J.

Read more on National Geographic

Then, we describe the degree of rigor mortis and livor mortis — which is the way gravity pulls blood to the lower parts of a body after death, causing the skin to appear purplish-red.

Read more on Salon