autopsy

American  

[aw-top-see, aw-tuhp-] / ˈɔ tɒp si, ˈɔ təp- /

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.

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verb (used with object)

autopsied, autopsying

1. to perform an autopsy on.

autopsy British  

/ 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

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autopsy Scientific  

/ ô′tŏp′sē /

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

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Other Word Forms

• autopsist noun

Etymology

Origin of autopsy

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

Compare meaning

How does autopsy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• necropsy vs. autopsy

Example Sentences

Police refused to provide any details on the condition the body was found in, but said an autopsy would be carried out to formally identify the person and determine their cause of death.

From BBC

The medical examiner’s office said the Los Angeles Police Department obtained a court order blocking the autopsy results from being publicly released.

From The Wall Street Journal

Authorities without ties to the federal government should investigate ICE deaths and conduct autopsies, said Angélica César, a Human Rights Watch official monitoring ICE deaths in Texas.

From Salon

An autopsy did not reveal any evidence of foul play.

From BBC

The report’s findings squared with an autopsy, which ruled the death accidental due to a spinal cord injury.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• postmortem