So, I did a simple search (autopsy vs necropsy) and the first three links gave me three different answers! First said they’re synonyms. Second simple said autopsy is for humans and necropsy is for animals. Now, the third one gave your interpretation. Autopsy is for humans because it’s the same species.
Now, the third one gave your interpretation. Autopsy is for humans because it’s the same species.
Hmm, that seems kind of inconsistent with auto as a prefix elsewhere. E.g., autofellatio, autoimmune, autobiography. It’s auto because it’s yourself, not another member of the same species.
Though there’s also autocrat, which seemingly is on its own and not referring to membership or self.
Autocracy means “absolute rule by one”, by “autocrator” (auto+kratos) to describe the Roman Emperor (n. Latin “imperator”), but is from multiple origins at this point. 🖖🏼
That’s a nice interpretation!
So, I did a simple search (autopsy vs necropsy) and the first three links gave me three different answers! First said they’re synonyms. Second simple said autopsy is for humans and necropsy is for animals. Now, the third one gave your interpretation. Autopsy is for humans because it’s the same species.
Hmm, that seems kind of inconsistent with auto as a prefix elsewhere. E.g., autofellatio, autoimmune, autobiography. It’s auto because it’s yourself, not another member of the same species.
Though there’s also autocrat, which seemingly is on its own and not referring to membership or self.
Autocracy means “absolute rule by one”, by “autocrator” (auto+kratos) to describe the Roman Emperor (n. Latin “imperator”), but is from multiple origins at this point. 🖖🏼