Autopsy Definition
ôtŏpsē, ôtəp-
autopsied, autopsies, autopsying
noun
autopsies
An examination and dissection of a dead body to discover the cause of death, damage done by disease, etc.; postmortem.
Webster's New World
A critical assessment or examination after the fact.
A post-election campaign autopsy.
American Heritage
A detailed critical analysis of a book, play, etc., or of some event.
Webster's New World
Examination of a cadaver to determine or confirm the cause of death.
American Heritage Medicine
The post-mortem examination of a human body, including its dissection and the removal and inspection of the major organs, to determine the cause of death.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
- postmortem
- post-mortem examination
- postmortem examination
- pm
- necropsy
- post mortem
- necroscopy
- pathological examination of the dead
- dissection
verb
To subject to an autopsy.
American Heritage
To examine (a body) in this manner.
Webster's New World
To subject to an autopsy.
American Heritage Medicine
To perform an autopsy on.
Wiktionary
To perform an after-the-fact analysis of, especially of a failure.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Autopsy
Noun
Singular:
autopsy
Plural:
autopsiesOrigin of Autopsy
-
Greek autopsiā a seeing for oneself auto- auto- opsis sight okw- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From New Latin autopsia, from Ancient Greek αὐτοψία (autopsia, “seeing with one's own eyes”).
From Wiktionary
Related Articles
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to autopsy using the buttons below.