Autopsy

Pronunciation

• RP enPR: ô'tŏp"sÄ“, IPA: /ˈɔːˌtÉ’psiː/
• US IPA: /ˈɔˌtÉ‘psi/

Origin

From New Latin autopsia, from Ancient Greek αὐτοψία (autopsia, "seeing with one's own eyes").

Full definition of autopsy

Noun

1. A dissection performed on a cadaver to find possible cause(s) of death.
2. An after-the-fact examination, especially of the causes of a failure.

Synonyms

• (dissection of a cadaver) necropsy, necrotomy; postmortem
• (after the fact examination) postmortem

Usage notes

The term necropsy is usually used for non-human animals, with autopsy reserved for human beings.

Verb

1. (transitive) To perform an autopsy on.
2. (transitive) To perform an after-the-fact analysis of, especially of a failure.

Anagrams

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