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Webster 1913 Edition

Coroner

Cor′o-ner

(k?r′?-n?r)
,
Noun.
[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
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Coroner

CORONER

,
Noun.
[Law Lat., a crown.] An officer whose office is concerned principally with pleas of the crown. One chief part of his duty is, when a person is slain or dies suddenly or in prison, to inquire into the manner of his death. This must be done by a jury, on sight of the body, and at the place where the death happened. In England, the coroner is to inquire also concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wrecks or not, and who is in possession of the goods; also concerning treasure-trove. As a ministerial officer, the coroner is the sheriffs substitute; and when an exception can be taken to the sheriff, for suspicion of partiality, process is awarded to the coroner.
In some of the States, in America, there is a coroner, but his principal or only duty is to inquire into the causes of untimely death. In Connecticut there is no such officer, the duty being performed by a constable or justice of the peace.

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