Autopsy
WordNet
noun
(1) An examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease
verb
(2) Perform an autopsy on a dead body; do a post-mortem
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from
Noun
- A dissection performed on a cadaver to find possible cause(s) of death.
- An after-the-fact examination, especially of the causes of a failure.
Usage notes
- The term necropsy is usually used for non-human animals, with autopsy reserved for human beings.
Verb
- To perform an autopsy on.
- To perform an after-the-fact analysis of, especially of a failure.