Definition of adipocere in English:
adipocere
noun ˌadɪpə(ʊ)ˈsɪəˈadəpōsir
mass nounA greyish waxy substance formed by the decomposition of soft tissue in dead bodies subjected to moisture.
Example sentencesExamples
- So adipocere may be from white muscle deposits close to the red muscles.
- But some have also recognized its resemblance to a fatty wax called adipocere, which is known to form from body fats buried in wet, anaerobic environments.
- The adipocere could have formed in these conditions and would have helped prevent the body decaying in the water.
- If a body is readily accessible to insects, adipocere is unlikely to form.
- To date only one other study of adipocere in grave soils has been performed.
- The role of bacteria in adipocere formation and degradation must be understood before we can use the presence of adipocere to extrapolate information about the post-death interval.
- But since her body had been converted into the wax-like adipocere, the stab marks were clearly visible.
Origin
Early 19th century: from French adipocire, from Latin adeps, adip- 'fat' + French cire 'wax' (from Latin cera).