Postmortem: meaning, definitions and examples
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postmortem
[ˌpoʊstˈmɔːrtəm ]
Definitions
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
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.
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.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- 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.
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.
Translations
Translations of the word "postmortem" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pós-morte
🇮🇳 मृत्यु के बाद
🇩🇪 Postmortem
🇮🇩 pascamati
🇺🇦 посмертний
🇵🇱 pośmiertny
🇯🇵 死後の
🇫🇷 postmortem
🇪🇸 postmortem
🇹🇷 ölüm sonrası
🇰🇷 사후의
🇸🇦 بعد الوفاة
🇨🇿 pohřební
🇸🇰 pohrebný
🇨🇳 死后
🇸🇮 posmrtni
🇮🇸 eftirlit
🇰🇿 қаза болғаннан кейін
🇬🇪 პოსტმორტემი
🇦🇿 ölüm sonrası
🇲🇽 postmortem