\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}.