clinically dead
Heart has stopped
Clinically dead describes a state where heartbeat and breathing have stopped but brain death has not yet occurred—the body may still be revivable.
Doctors may pronounce someone clinically dead before resuscitation attempts: He was clinically dead for four minutes before they got his heart started again.
Figuratively, clinically dead describes something beyond saving: The bill was clinically dead before it reached the Senate floor.
Complete cessation of neural function
- flatlineShow no heartbeat
- resuscitationRestoring vital functions
- defibrillationElectric cardiac rhythm reset
- ventilatorMechanical breathing apparatus
life support · ICU · intensive care · EEG · unresponsive · coma · apnea · brainstem
No longer living
- corpseDeceased human body
- cadaverBody for dissection
- morgueCorpse holding facility
- autopsyMedical examination after death
mortuary · time of death · pronouncement · body · remains · postmortem · coroner · death certificate
Restoring vital functions
- revivalReturn after decline
- near-death experienceVision when almost dying
- returnGo back again
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
second chance · comeback · survival · awakening · brought back · survivor
At a threshold
- between worldsExisting in limbo
- near-deathAlmost dying
- brinkCritical boundary point
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
crossing · transition · boundary · verge · in-between · suspended · borderland · hovering
brain death
Complete cessation of neural function
- flatlineShow no heartbeat
- resuscitationRestoring vital functions
- defibrillationElectric cardiac rhythm reset
ventilator · life support · ICU · intensive care · EEG · unresponsive · coma · apnea · brainstem · neurological
deceased
No longer living
autopsy · mortuary · time of death · pronouncement · body · remains · postmortem · coroner · death certificate · next of kin
resuscitation
Restoring vital functions
- revivalReturn after decline
- near-death experienceVision when almost dying
- returnGo back again
recovery · second chance · comeback · survival · awakening · brought back · survivor
liminal
At a threshold
- between worldsExisting in limbo
- near-deathAlmost dying
- brinkCritical boundary point
edge · crossing · transition · boundary · verge · in-between · suspended · borderland · hovering · precipice
clinic, clinical, clinically, clinician, clinics, clinicians, dead, deaths, deadly