autopsy
noun
called also necropsy
Examples of autopsy in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'autopsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
earlier, "act of seeing with one's own eyes, direct observation," borrowed from New Latin autopsia, borrowed from Greek autopsía, from aut- aut- + -opsia, later variant of -opsis "act of seeing, sight" — more at optic entry 1
Note: Use of the word in English to refer specifically to the examination of a corpse is apparently not known before the nineteenth century. The Oxford English Dictionary, third edition, notes French autopsie in the sense "post-mortem examination" from "1671 or earlier," but gives no source for an attestation. In French the phrase autopsie cadavérique is fairly common after 1800, but does not seem to have been used earlier. In Latin medical texts of the eighteenth century, the phrase autopsia cadaverum "autopsy of cadavers" (with variants) can be found in a number of texts, as the Synopsis universae praxeos medicae, pars prima (Amsterdam, 1765) of the French physician Joseph Lieutaud.
1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near autopsy
Cite this Entry
“Autopsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autopsy. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
autopsy
nounfrom Greek autopsia "the act of seeing with one's own eyes," from aut- "self" and opsis "sight," from opsesthai "to be going to see" — related to optic
Medical Definition
autopsy
1 of 2 nouncalled also necropsy, postmortem, postmortem examination
autopsy
2 of 2 transitive verbLegal Definition
autopsy
nouncalled also post mortem, post mortem examination
More from Merriam-Webster on autopsy
Nglish: Translation of autopsy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of autopsy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about autopsy
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