Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COR'O-NER, n. [Law. L. coronator, from corona, a crown.]

An officer whose office is concerned principally with pleas of the crown. One chief part of his duty is, when a person is slain or dies suddenly or in prison, to inquire into the manner of his death. This must be done by a jury, on sight of the body, and at the place where the death happened. In England, the coroner is to enquire also, concerning shipwrecks, and certify whether wrecks or not, and who is in possession of the goods; also, concerning treasure-trove. As a ministerial officer, the coroner is the sherif's substitute; and when an exception can be taken to the sherif, for suspicion of partiality, process is awarded to the coroner. – Blackstone. In some of the States in America, there is a coroner, but his principal or only duty is to inquire into the causes of untimely death. In Connecticut there is no such officer, the duty being performed by a constable, or justice of the peace.