corpselike

Corpselike is an adjective meaning resembling a corpse or having a deathlike appearance or quality. The term is formed from the word corpse combined with the suffix -like, and it is used in a variety of contexts to describe features that evoke mortality without implying an actual body. Typical usages refer to pallor, stillness, rigidity, or a lifeless expression that suggests the presence of a corpse rather than vitality.

In practice, corpselike descriptions appear in medicine, forensic science, literature, and the arts. In medical and clinical writing, corpselike pallor may be used to describe extreme paleness or waxy skin, often signaling shock, severe anemia, or other serious conditions, though more precise terminology is usually preferred. Forensic descriptions may compare postmortem changes to a corpselike state while distinguishing them from living characteristics. In literature and visual media, corpselike imagery is employed to convey horror, morbidity, or the uncanny, whether applied to characters, statues, or special effects. The word carries strong connotations and can be unsettling, so it is typically used with careful consideration of tone and audience. Related terms such as cadaverous, deathlike, ghastly, or morbid capture similar ideas but vary in intensity and nuance. Etymologically, corpselike derives from corpse with the adjectival suffix -like, a construction attested in early modern English.