coroner
/ˈkɒr(ə)nə
/noun
1An official who holds inquests into violent, sudden, or suspicious deaths, and (in Britain) inquiries into cases of treasure trove.The function of the coroner's inquest is to establish the cause of death, not to apportion blame....
- At an inquest last month the coroner said a police inquiry should be held.
- At her inquest, the coroner recorded an open verdict because he was not convinced she intended to kill herself.
1.1 historical An official responsible for safeguarding the private property of the Crown.Mr Field must now wait for the Suffolk coroner to hold an inquest to decide if the coins are treasure trove of if they will be returned to him.
Derivatives
coronership
- For his part in this trouble, Nicholas was removed from the coronership in December 1379, and the following August was disfranchised and the burgesses were prohibited from trading, socializing or even speaking with him.
- It analyses the contemporary role of the coroner and how the institution of coronership is likely to evolve in the post-Shipman era.
- Being partners in the same practice and all based at 23 Lichfield Street gives us the ability to provide a comprehensive and efficient coronership service.
Origin
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French coruner, from corune 'a crown' (see crown); reflecting the Latin title custos placitorum coronae 'guardian of the pleas of the Crown'.