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rigor

 - 5 dictionary results

rig⋅or

  [rig-er]
Use rigor in a Sentence
–noun
1. strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.
2. the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.
3. severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity: the rigor of wartime existence.
4. a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.
5. scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence: the logical rigor of mathematics.
6. severity of weather or climate or an instance of this: the rigors of winter.
7. Pathology. a sudden coldness, as that preceding certain fevers; chill.
8. Physiology. a state of rigidity in muscle tissues during which they are unable to respond to stimuli due to the coagulation of muscle protein.
9. Obsolete. stiffness or rigidity.
Also, especially British, rigour.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME rigour < L rigor stiffness, equiv. to rig(ēre) to be stiff + -or -or 1

Synonyms:
1. inflexibility, stringency. 4. cruelty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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rig·or   (rĭg'ər)   
n.  

  1. Strictness or severity, as in temperament, action, or judgment.

  2. A harsh or trying circumstance; hardship. See Synonyms at difficulty.

  3. A harsh or cruel act.

  4. Medicine Shivering or trembling, as caused by a chill.

  5. Physiology A state of rigidity in living tissues or organs that prevents response to stimuli.

  6. Obsolete Stiffness or rigidity.


[Middle English rigour, from Old French, from Latin rigor, from rigēre, to be stiff; see reig- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

rigor 
c.1386, from O.Fr. rigor (13c.), from L. rigorem (nom. rigor) "numbness, stiffness, rigor," from rigere "be stiff" (see rigid). Rigor mortis is 1839, from L. rigor "stiffness" + mortis, gen. of mors "death" (see mortal).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: rig·or
Pronunciation: 'rig-&r, Brit also 'rI-"gor
Function: noun
1 a : CHILL 1 b : a tremor caused by a chill
2 a : rigidity or torpor of organs or tissue thatprevents response to stimuli b : RIGOR MORTIS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

rigor rig·or (rĭg'ər)
n.

  1. See rigidity.

  2. Shivering or trembling, as caused by a chill.

  3. A state of rigidity in living tissues or organs that prevents response to stimuli.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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