CORONER

coroner. Coroner, n. an officer who inquires into the cause of sudden and accidental death

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Cor″o‐ner (k?r″?–n?r), n. [[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.]] 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. Coroner's inquest. See under Inquest.