autopsy

American  

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

noun

plural

autopsies

1. inspection and dissection of a body after death, as for determination of the cause of death; postmortem examination.

2. an analysis of something after it has been done or made.

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verb (used with object)

autopsied, autopsying

1. to perform an autopsy on.

autopsy British  

/ ɔːˈtɒp-, ˈɔːtəpsɪ /

noun

1. Also called: necropsy.   postmortem examination.  dissection and examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death

2. an eyewitness observation

3. any critical analysis

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autopsy Scientific  

/ ô′tŏp′sē /

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

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Other Word Forms

• autopsist noun

Etymology

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 -y ³

Compare meaning

How does autopsy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• necropsy vs. autopsy

Example Sentences

They say his cognitive abilities "were not consistent with Alzheimer's disease", which the court heard could not be conclusively diagnosed until an autopsy could be performed after his death.

From BBC

The pathologist added that some of the bodies appeared to have originated from hospitals and mortuaries but that would be further determined after autopsies.

From BBC

But they were unable to straight away, as he was awaiting an autopsy.

From BBC

“How do you do an autopsy? What are you looking for? Why do you choose to become a medical examiner?”

From Los Angeles Times

Police refused to provide any details on the condition the body was found in, but said an autopsy would be carried out to formally identify the person and determine their cause of death.

From BBC

Related Words

• postmortem