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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for coroner

Contemporary Examples of coroner

Even the coroner determined that the cause of death was "homicide."
Cops, CIA Share a Culture of Lawlessness
Cliff Schecter
December 12, 2014
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of coroner

Pete says you better notify the coroner—and I reckon the sheriff, too.
Good Indian
B. M. Bower
Meanwhile at Redcross Farm, the Coroner was holding his inquiry.
The Coryston Family
Mrs. Humphry Ward
"Thank you, Mr. Dunbar; that will do for the present," said the coroner.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
There was a pause, during which the coroner looked very thoughtful.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
They've taken his body to the Red Lion, and the coroner is there from Gaskarth.
The Shadow of a Crime
Hall Caine

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

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.

coroner in Medicine

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.