postmortem

American  

[pohst-mawr-tuhm] / poʊstˈmɔr təm /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or occurring in the time following death.

2. of or relating to examination of the body after death.

3. occurring after the end of something; after the event.

   a postmortem criticism of a television show.

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adverb

1. after death.

   Pacemakers have to be removed postmortem from bodies that are going to be cremated.

noun

1. Medicine/Medical. a postmortem examination; autopsy.

2. an evaluation or discussion occurring after the end or fact of something.

   to do a postmortem on the decision of a court.

3. Cards. a discussion of the bidding or playing of a previous hand.

postmortem British  

/ pəʊstˈmɔːtəm /

adjective

1. (prenominal) occurring after death

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noun

1. analysis or study of a recently completed event

   a postmortem on a game of chess

2. See postmortem examination

postmortem Cultural  

1. Autopsy; figuratively, any analysis that follows an event: “When the convention is over, we'll have a postmortem to find ways of improving it for next year.” From Latin, meaning “after death.”

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Etymology

Origin of postmortem

First recorded in 1725–35, postmortem is from Latin post mortem “after death”

Example Sentences

Key discoveries from animal research have been supported by findings in postmortem human brain tissue from individuals with addiction and stress disorders, providing strong evidence that the principles uncovered in the laboratory translate to humans.

From Science Daily

The cells were obtained from adult postmortem eye tissue.

From Science Daily

His postmortem portraits, nearly 30 of which are reproduced in “The Harlem Book of the Dead,” are artistic assemblages that honor the dead and the community’s funerary traditions.

From The Wall Street Journal

You’re doing a postmortem of the relationship, as any smart, thoughtful person would.

From MarketWatch

I didn’t find hope or inspiration within these pages — the book felt more like an obligatory postmortem with an already established conclusion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• autopsy
• dissection