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forceps - 6 dictionary results
for⋅ceps
[fawr-suh
ps, -seps] 
–noun, plural -ceps, -ci⋅pes [-suh-peez] .
[-suh-peez] . | 1. | an instrument, as pincers or tongs, for seizing and holding objects, as in surgical operations. |
| 2. | Anatomy, Zoology. a part or feature resembling a forceps, esp. a pair of appendages at the posterior of certain insects. |
Origin:
1625–35; < L: pair of tongs, pincers, said to be a contr. of *formiceps, equiv. to form(us) warm + -i- -i- + -ceps -taker, deriv. of capere to take (cf. prince ), i.e., that which takes hot things; cf., however, forpex, forfex tongs, shears, from which forceps may have been formed by folk etym.
1625–35; < L: pair of tongs, pincers, said to be a contr. of *formiceps, equiv. to form(us) warm + -i- -i- + -ceps -taker, deriv. of capere to take (cf. prince ), i.e., that which takes hot things; cf., however, forpex, forfex tongs, shears, from which forceps may have been formed by folk etym.
Related forms:
for⋅ceps⋅like, adjective
for⋅cip⋅i⋅al [fawr-sip-ee-uhl] , adjective
[fawr-sip-ee-uhl] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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|
Link To forceps
| for·ceps (fôr'səps, -sěps) n. pl. forceps
[Latin, fire tongs, pincers; see gwher- in Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Forceps
For"ceps\, n. [L. forceps, -cipis, from the root of formus Hot + capere to take; akin to E. heave. Cf. Furnace.]1. A pair of pinchers, or tongs; an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon, bodies which it would be inconvenient or impracticable to seize with the fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc. 2. (Zo["o]l.) The caudal forceps-shaped appendage of earwigs and some other insects. See Earwig. Dressing forceps. See under Dressing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : forceps
Spanish:
fórceps,
German:
die Pinzette, die Zange,
Japanese:
ピンセット
forceps
1563, from L. forceps, compound of formus "hot" + root of capere "to hold, take" (see capable). Originally a smith's implement.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: for·ceps
Pronunciation: 'for-s&ps, -"seps
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural forceps
: an instrument forgrasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon objects especially for delicate operations (as by surgeons, obstetricians, or dentists)
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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forceps for·ceps (fôr'səps, -sěps)
n. pl. forceps
- An instrument resembling a pair of pincers, used for grasping, manipulating, or extracting, especially in surgery.
- Either of two bands of white fibers composing the radiation of the corpus callosum to the cerebrum.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
