rigor

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rigor (ry-ger) n. an abrupt attack of shivering and a sensation of coldness, accompanied by a rapid rise in body temperature. This often marks the onset of a fever and may be followed by a feeling of heat, with copious sweating. r. mortis the stiffening of a body that occurs within some eight hours of death in temperate climates, due to chemical changes in muscle tissue. It usually starts to disappear after about 24 hours.

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