coroner

[ kawr-uh-ner, kor- ]
/ ˈkɔr ə nər, ˈkɒr- /

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

OTHER WORDS FROM coroner

cor·o·ner·ship, noun

Words nearby coroner

coronary-care unit, coronate, coronation, coronation chicken, coronavirus, coroner, coronet, coroneted, coronitis, coronium, coronograph

Example sentences from the Web for coroner

British Dictionary definitions for coroner

coroner
/ (ˈkɒrənə) /

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 forms of coroner

coronership, noun

Word Origin for coroner

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

Medical 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.