autopsy

[ aw-top-see, aw-tuh p- ]
/ ˈɔ tɒp si, ˈɔ təp- /

noun, plural au·top·sies.

inspection and dissection of a body after death, as for determination of the cause of death; postmortem examination.
an analysis of something after it has been done or made.

verb (used with object), au·top·sied, au·top·sy·ing.

to perform an autopsy on.

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 -y3

OTHER WORDS FROM autopsy

au·top·sist, noun

Example sentences from the Web for autopsy

British Dictionary definitions for autopsy

autopsy
/ (ˈɔːtəpsɪ, ɔːˈtɒp-) /

noun plural -sies

Also called: necropsy, postmortem examination dissection and examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death
an eyewitness observation
any critical analysis

Word Origin for autopsy

C17: from New Latin autopsia, from Greek: seeing with one's own eyes, from auto- + opsis sight

Medical definitions for autopsy

autopsy
[ ôtŏp′sē ]

n.

An examination of a cadaver in order to determine the cause of death or to study pathologic changes. necropsy postmortem postmortem examination

Scientific definitions for autopsy

autopsy
[ ôtŏp′sē ]

A medical examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death or to study pathologic changes.