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

The release of their autopsy results was blocked by a court order sought by the Los Angeles Police Department, the medical examiner’s office said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her nephew found her after hearing a loud bang, and called 911, according to autopsy reports.

From Los Angeles Times

Now Martin has decided to bury that autopsy report.

From Los Angeles Times

Security holds are used by various law enforcement agencies to prevent the release of details from an autopsy, notes written by coroner’s investigators or results from toxicology and other tests during a death investigation.

From Los Angeles Times

He studied medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, where the highlight of his studies was a fellowship program doing autopsies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• postmortem