Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.]

   Note: 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}.

Source : WordNet®

coroner
     n : a public official who investigates by inquest any death not
         due to natural causes [syn: {medical examiner}]