French word

médico-légal

Pronunciation

IPA/medikolegal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveforensic

Example

Le rapport médico-légal confirme la cause du décès.

The forensic report confirms the cause of death.

Illustration for médico-légal (forensic)

More examples

La police a demandé un examen médico-légal.

The police requested a forensic examination.

Core concept

Medical findings assembled to clarify a court's decision.

Similar words

médical: Connected with diagnosis and treatment in healthcare.
légal: Based on the law and concerning legally justified actions or decisions.
judiciaire: Connected with proceedings and hearings in court.

Definition in French

Décrit des actes médicaux, des rapports ou des expertises destinés à éclairer une décision judiciaire.

Word origin

The compound combines médico-, from Latin medicus, with légal, from Latin legalis through French, linking medicine with law.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective, médico-légal agrees with the noun: médico-légale, médico-légaux, and médico-légales.

Other meanings

  • medicolegaladjective

Word lists with this word