1. A physician officially authorized by a governmental unit to ascertain causes of deaths, especially those not occurring under natural circumstances.
2. A physician who examines employees of a particular firm or applicants for life insurance.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.