antemortem
|an-te-mor-tem|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tiˈmɔr.təm/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tiˈmɔː.təm/
before death
Etymology
'antemortem' originates from Latin, specifically the words 'ante' and 'mortem', where 'ante' meant 'before' and 'mortem' (accusative of 'mors') meant 'death'.
'antemortem' developed from the Latin phrase 'ante mortem' (literally 'before death') into English usage, especially in medical and legal contexts, without major change in form.
Initially it meant literally 'before death'; over time it has retained this literal sense while becoming specialized terminology in medicine, forensics, and law to denote tests, injuries, or events occurring before death.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a statement, test, examination, sample, or event that took place before death (e.g., antemortem blood sample).
An antemortem sample was taken for DNA comparison.
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Adjective 1
occurring, performed, or existing before death; prior to death (often used in medical, legal, or forensic contexts).
The patient had an antemortem fracture that was healing at the time of death.
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Last updated: 2025/08/22 06:37