autopsy

IPA/ˈɔːtɒpsi/
KK[ˈɔtˌɑpsi]IPA/ˈɔːtɑːpsi/

autopsy — noun

  • autopsysingular
  • autopsiesplural

1. a medical procedure in which a pathologist opens up a dead person's body and exa

1.名詞B2
釋義

a medical procedure in which a pathologist opens up a dead person's body and examines the internal organs to learn the reason for the death — typically done when the cause is not clear or when a crime may be involved

例句

The medical examiner performed an autopsy on the victim and discovered that he had been poisoned.

performed an autopsy

Haruto's family requested a second autopsy after the first report failed to explain his death.

同義詞
  • post-mortem

    the same procedure, slightly less formal and more common in British English; also used metaphorically ('a post-mortem on the project')

  • necropsy

    the equivalent procedure performed on animals rather than humans

用法筆記

Common in medical and legal-investigation contexts. In everyday conversation, 'post-mortem' (or 'post-mortem examination') can be used instead, especially in British English. 'Autopsy' is used for human bodies — for animals, the correct term is 'necropsy.'

常見錯誤

❌The vet performed an autopsy on the cat.
✅The vet performed a necropsy on the cat.
💡'Autopsy' is used for humans; 'necropsy' is the correct term for animals.