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forcepslike - 1 dictionary result
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.
Cite This Source
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