Coroner \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.]

Note: 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)