flatline

Meanings

Noun

• An unchanging state, as indicated in a graph of a variable over time.
• Asystole; the absence of heart contractions or brain waves.

Verb

• To stop beating.
• To die.
• To kill.
• To stay at the same level, without development; or, to fall.

Origin

• From flat + line. Refers to a continuous straight line (asystole) on an ECG (EKG) or EEG, indicating death.