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 investigation is ongoing and the medical examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a pattern. I can’t ignore it,” said Frank van de Goot, a Dutch forensic pathologist who said he has performed autopsies on 18 crew members who showed signs of toxic exposures.

From The Wall Street Journal

Harris, the autopsy notes, “did not make either policy a major part of her campaign.”

From Salon

An autopsy did not reveal a clear explanation for his death.

From Science Daily

There are just two perinatal pathologists based at Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust - they conduct autopsies on foetuses and babies for the whole region.

From BBC

Related Words

• postmortem