Postmortem Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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postmortem

[ˌpoʊstˈmɔːrtəm ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

after death

A postmortem is an examination conducted after death to determine the cause and manner of death. This procedure is typically performed by a medical examiner or forensic pathologist. Additionally, in a broader context, it can refer to a discussion or analysis of an event that has already occurred, often to evaluate what went well or what could be improved.

Synonyms

analysis, autopsy, necropsy.

Examples of usage

  • The postmortem revealed the victim's cause of death was a heart attack.
  • After the project was completed, the team held a postmortem to discuss successes and lessons learned.
  • The postmortem was necessary to investigate what went wrong in the surgery.
Context #2 | Adjective

analysis context

Describing something that occurs after an event, particularly in terms of analysis or review. A postmortem analysis can help organizations understand the factors that contributed to the success or failure of a project or decision.

Synonyms

after-action, evaluation, review.

Examples of usage

  • We conducted a postmortem analysis of the marketing campaign to find areas for improvement.
  • His postmortem assessment of the failed project was insightful.
  • The postmortem report highlighted key mistakes made during the process.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Medical Practice

  • In medicine, a postmortem examination is performed by a pathologist to determine the cause of death.
  • This examination can provide crucial information about disease processes that may affect surviving relatives.

Cultural Significance

  • Many cultures have rituals and practices associated with death, reflecting respect and remembrance.
  • Investigations after a death can vary widely across cultures, influencing how postmortem practices are viewed.

Literature

  • Postmortem themes often appear in mystery novels, where characters must uncover the truth about a death.
  • Authors may use postmortem discussions to provoke thought about life, death, and morality.

Science

  • In a broader sense, 'postmortem' is used in various fields to refer to analyses conducted after an event to learn from it.
  • Organizations may hold 'postmortem meetings' to discuss projects that did not go as planned, identifying what could be improved.

Origin of 'postmortem'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Latin, where 'post' means 'after' and 'mortem' means 'death'.
  • It was first used in English in the late 19th century to refer specifically to examinations of dead bodies.

The term 'postmortem' originates from the Latin phrase 'post mortem', which means 'after death'. The word has been used in English since the early 17th century, primarily within the context of medical examinations following death to determine the cause. Over the years, its usage has expanded into various fields, including project management and business, where it denotes a retrospective analysis conducted after a project or event has concluded. The dual usage of the term underscores its versatility in discussing outcomes and results, whether in a strictly medical context or in broader analytical discussions.


Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,466, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.