The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.]
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Note: In some of the United States the office of coroner is
abolished, that of medical examiner taking its place.
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Coroner's inquest. See under Inquest.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Crowner \Crown"er\ (kroun"[~e]r), n.
1. One who, or that which, crowns. --Beau. & FL.
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2. [Cf. Coroner.] A coroner. [Prov. Eng. or Scot.]
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