antemortem

an·te·mor·tem

 (ăn′tē-môr′təm)

adj.

Preceding death.

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[From Latin ante mortem, before death : ante, before; see ante- + mortem, accusative of mors, mort-, death; see mortal.]

an•te•mor•tem

or an•te-mor•tem

(ˌæn tiˈmɔr təm)

adj.

before death: an antemortem confession.

[1880–85; < Latin]

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.

antemortem - preceding death; "antemortem confession" postmortal, postmortem - occurring or done after death; "postmortem changes"; "a postmortem examination to determine cause of death"; "postmortal wounds"