necropsy

noun
nec·​rop·​sy | \ ˈne-ˌkräp-sē How to pronounce necropsy (audio) \
plural necropsies

Definition of necropsy

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: autopsy sense 1 especially : an autopsy performed on an animal

necropsy

verb
necropsied; necropsying

Definition of necropsy (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to perform an autopsy on

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Did You Know?

Human autopsies are generally performed either to determine the cause of death or to observe the deadly effects of a disease for research or education purposes. Autopsies may be necessary when tracking an epidemic; they're also performed to discover whether a death might actually have resulted from murder, and if so, what evidence it might reveal that could help catch the murderer. Animal necropsies are actually more common than human autopsies, since a farmer with livestock is always concerned that whatever killed one animal not pose a threat to the others.

Examples of necropsy in a Sentence

Noun

a necropsy failed to definitively establish a cause of death

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

No suspicious results have emerged from any of the necropsies. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hollendorfer attorney ‘pessimistic’ Del Mar will allow trainer to race," 9 July 2019 In that case, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission trappers caught the alligator and performed a necropsy to find a hand and foot of the victim, Michael Ford II, 45, of Wauchula, in the alligator’s stomach. Richard Tribou, orlandosentinel.com, "Another Florida body found in the mouth of an alligator: report," 30 June 2019 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which is also involved in the ongoing investigation, trapped and killed the alligator to perform a necropsy. NBC News, "Body partially eaten by alligator found floating in Florida canal," 29 June 2019 Detectives are waiting for the results of lab tests and the necropsy to find out details about the cause and manner of the dog’s death. Christine Dempsey, courant.com, "West Haven police looking for information about person who set dog on fire, pickup truck," 9 July 2019 Staff at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine will complete a necropsy to determine the underlying cause of her illness, the release stated. Christine Condon, baltimoresun.com, "Dolphin dies at the National Aquarium after months-long illness," 8 July 2019 Veterinarians there perform a necropsy on every horse that dies at a California track. Elliott Almond, The Mercury News, "Racing in crisis: It’s not just Santa Anita. Horse deaths plague East Bay track and others around country," 29 June 2019 Costidis’s team investigates every dead whale in the state, and when feasible, performs necropsies, or animal autopsies on them. Jason Nark, National Geographic, "Whales are dying along East Coast—and scientists are racing to understand why," 13 Mar. 2019 Planning is underway to see if a necropsy can be performed. David Abel, BostonGlobe.com, "Fifth North Atlantic right whale found dead in Canadian waters," 27 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'necropsy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of necropsy

Noun

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1927, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for necropsy

Noun

necr- + -opsy (in autopsy), probably after French nécropsie

Verb

derivative of necropsy entry 1

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More Definitions for necropsy

necropsy

noun
nec·​rop·​sy | \ ˈnek-ˌräp-sē How to pronounce necropsy (audio) \
plural necropsies

Medical Definition of necropsy

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: autopsy especially : an autopsy performed on an animal

necropsy

transitive verb
necropsied; necropsying

Medical Definition of necropsy (Entry 2 of 2)

: to perform an autopsy especially on an animal

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