coroner

[kawr-uh-ner, kor-]

noun

an officer, as of a county or municipality, whose chief function is to investigate by inquest, as before a jury, any death not clearly resulting from natural causes.

Nearby words

Origin of coroner

1225–75; Middle English < Anglo-French corouner supervisor of the Crown's pleas, equivalent to coroune crown + -er -er²

Related formscor·o·ner·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coroner

Even the coroner determined that the cause of death was "homicide."
Cops, CIA Share a Culture of Lawlessness|Cliff Schecter|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The coroner would also note the tiny hemorrhages that accompany strangulation.
Indiana Serial Killer’s Confession Was Just the Start|Michael Daly|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The coroner said the call had been "clearly pressing on her mind" but that she had had "appropriate" support from the hospital.
Kate Prank Call DJ Tells of Death Threats|Tom Sykes|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At last month's inquest, Coroner Fiona Wilcox concluded Mrs Saldanha had taken her own life.
Kate Prank Call DJ Tells of Death Threats|Tom Sykes|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST

When Mr. Cohen was asked by the coroner whether Peaches had been a heroin addict, he replied, "Yes."
Peaches Geldof Was A Former Heroin Addict Who Was On Methadone When She Overdosed|Tom Sykes|July 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cowper—When you returned to the Coroner's inquest, what did you certify as your opinion?
State Trials Vol. 2 (of 2)|Various
I want to put down everything we can think of before I send for the coroner.
Whispering Wires|Henry Leverage
"If the blow were struck with sufficient force," snapped the Coroner.
The Solitary Farm|Fergus Hume
The Coroner, however, passed briskly to the next point, and Poirot drew a deep breath of relief.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles|Agatha Christie
Gilbert, expecting that the coroner had been heard from, came in eagerly.
The Mystery of Lincoln's Inn|Robert Machray

British Dictionary definitions for coroner

coroner

noun

a public official responsible for the investigation of violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths and inquiries into treasure trove. The investigation (coroner's inquest) is held in the presence of a jury (coroner's jury)See also procurator fiscal Compare medical examiner

Derived Formscoronership, noun

Word Origin for coroner

C14: from Anglo-French corouner officer in charge of the pleas of the Crown, from Old French corone crown

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for coroner

coroner

late 12c., from Anglo-French curuner, from Latin custos placitorum coronae, originally the title of the officer with the duty of protecting the property of the royal family, from Latin corona, literally "crown" (see crown (n.)). The duties of the office gradually narrowed and by 17c. the chief function was to determine the cause of death in cases not obviously natural.

Medicine definitions for coroner

coroner

[kôr′ə-nər]

n.

A public officer whose primary function is to investigate by inquest any death thought to be of other than natural causes.