autopsy

[aw-top-see, aw-tuhp-]

noun

plural

autopsies 

1. inspection and dissection of a body after death, as for determination of the cause of death; postmortem examination.

2. an analysis of something after it has been done or made.

verb (used with object)

autopsied, autopsying 

1. to perform an autopsy on.

autopsy

/ ɔːˈtɒp-, ˈɔːtəpsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: necropsy.  postmortem examination. dissection and examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death

2. an eyewitness observation

3. any critical analysis

autopsy

1. A medical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death or to study pathologic changes.

Other Word Forms

• autopsist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autopsy¹

1645–55; (< Middle French autopsie ) < Greek autopsía a seeing with one's own eyes, equivalent to aut- aut- + óps ( is ) -opsis + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of autopsy¹

C17: from New Latin autopsia, from Greek: seeing with one's own eyes, from _auto- + opsis sight

Example Sentences

County Medical Examiner from divulging autopsy results and other details related to the girl’s death that would otherwise be public.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Likewise, “Adolescence,” the towering English autopsy of youth spent online, a harrowing drama masterminded by actor Stephen Graham and directed by Philip Barantini, who filmed his four episodes in four uncut takes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The family paid for her body to be transported to Freetown for an autopsy - something the authorities could not afford to do - but the post-mortem was inconclusive and no arrests have yet been made.

Read more on BBC

The medical examiner’s office agreed, deciding against a more thorough autopsy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The autopsy report, obtained by Us Weekly, was carried out three hours after Quintanilla’s death.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• postmortem