noun
scalpel
SKAL-puhl
Scalpel (noun) means a small, extremely sharp knife used by surgeons for precise cutting. Example: “The surgeon made a clean incision with the scalpel.”
noun
1
A small, extremely sharp knife used by surgeons for precise cutting.
"The surgeon made a clean incision with the scalpel."
How to use scalpel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe precision blade surgeons use for cutting during operations.
Common pairings
wield a scalpel
a surgeon's scalpel
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Word forms
- Plural
- scalpels
Fill the gap
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The surgeon made a clean incision with the _____.
Etymology
From Latin scalpellum, a diminutive of scalprum, "knife," from scalpere, "to cut."
Frequently asked questions
What does “scalpel” mean?
The word “scalpel” means a small, extremely sharp knife used by surgeons for precise cutting. In plain terms, the precision blade surgeons use for cutting during operations.
How do you pronounce “scalpel”?
“Scalpel” is pronounced SKAL-puhl (/ˈskælpəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “scalpel” in a sentence?
Here is “scalpel” used in a sentence: “The surgeon made a clean incision with the scalpel.”
What part of speech is “scalpel”?
“Scalpel” is a noun.
Where does the word “scalpel” come from?
The word “scalpel” comes from Latin. From Latin scalpellum, a diminutive of scalprum, "knife," from scalpere, "to cut.".
