An autopsy is a medical examination of a dead body to find out the cause of death or to study disease. It is done by a specially trained doctor.
From Greek “autopsia,” meaning “seeing with one’s own eyes,” from “auto-” (self) and “opsis” (sight). It referred to direct observation, and later narrowed to examining dead bodies.
The word doesn’t originally mean “cutting bodies” at all—it means “seeing for yourself.” It captures the idea that real understanding comes from direct, sometimes uncomfortable, looking.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.