coroner Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes
    medical examiner.

WordNet

Cor"o*ner noun
Etymology
From OE. coronen to crown, OF. coroner, fr. L. coronare, fr. corona crown. Formed as a translation of LL. coronator coroner, fr. L. corona crown, the coroner having been originally a prosecuting officer of the crown. See Crown.
Definitions
  1. An officer of the peace whose principal duty is to inquire, with the help of a jury, into the cause of any violent, sudden or mysterious death, or death in prison, usually on sight of the body and at the place where the death occurred. In England formerly also written and pronounced crowner. ✍ In some of the United States the office of coroner is abolished, that of medical examiner taking its place.

Webster 1913