au ‧ top ‧ sy /ˈɔːtɒpsi $ ˈɒːtɑːp-/ BrE AmE noun ( plural autopsies ) [countable] especially American English
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Greek ; Origin: autopsia 'act of seeing with your own eyes' , from auto- ( ⇨ ↑ auto- ) + opsis 'sight' ]
an examination of a dead body to discover the cause of death SYN post mortem British English :
an autopsy report
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THESAURUS
▪ investigation a process in which the police or another organization try to find out the truth about a crime or accident:
Following a major police investigation, two men were arrested.
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The investigation into the causes of the air crash are continuing.
▪ inquiry an official process to find out why something happened, which usually takes several months or years:
Local people are calling for an inquiry into the accident.
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An independent inquiry found serious shortcomings at the children’s home.
▪ case a matter that police or officials are trying to find out information about, especially so that it can be dealt with in a court of law:
The case has never been solved.
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The police say it is one of the most puzzling cases they have had to deal with.
▪ probe an investigation in which many questions are asked to find out the truth about something – used especially in journalism:
The TV show featured a probe into charges charged by high street banks.
▪ inquest a legal investigation to find out why someone died:
The inquest heard that Mr Swan was poisoned.
▪ survey a process in which people are asked questions in order to find out about their opinions or about their behaviour:
They did a survey to find out the most popular pop star.
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Based on a survey of 250 companies, the report says that ‘ over two thirds of companies expect operating costs to increase as a result of addressing environmental issues.
▪ autopsy British English a medical examination of a dead person’s body, to find out why that person died:
If she died of a drug overdose, it would show up in the autopsy.