coroner
[kawr-uh-ner, kor-]
- 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.
Show More
Origin of coroner
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for coroner
Contemporary Examples
Even the coroner determined that the cause of death was "homicide."
The coroner would also note the tiny hemorrhages that accompany strangulation.
The coroner said the call had been "clearly pressing on her mind" but that she had had "appropriate" support from the hospital.
At last month's inquest, Coroner Fiona Wilcox concluded Mrs Saldanha had taken her own life.
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 OverdosedTom Sykes
July 23, 2014
Historical Examples
Pete says you better notify the coroner—and I reckon the sheriff, too.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
Meanwhile at Redcross Farm, the Coroner was holding his inquiry.
The Coryston FamilyMrs. Humphry Ward
"Thank you, Mr. Dunbar; that will do for the present," said the coroner.
Henry DunbarM. E. Braddon
There was a pause, during which the coroner looked very thoughtful.
Henry DunbarM. E. Braddon
They've taken his body to the Red Lion, and the coroner is there from Gaskarth.
The Shadow of a CrimeHall Caine
coroner
- 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
Show More
Word Origin
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
n.
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.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
coroner
(kôr′ə-nər)- A public officer whose primary function is to investigate by inquest any death thought to be of other than natural causes.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.