fleam

American  

[fleem] / flim /

noun

1. Surgery. a kind of lancet, as for opening veins.

2. the beveled leading edge of a sawtooth.

---

fleam British  

/ fliːm /

noun

1. archaic a lancet used for letting blood

---

Etymology

Origin of fleam

1375–1425; late Middle English fleme, fleom < Middle French flieme ≪ Late Latin phlebotomus, < Greek phlebotómon; see phlebo-, tome

Example Sentences

To force the fleam into the vein, one employed a bloodstick, a stick 35-38 cm long and 2 cm in diameter.

From Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology by Appel, Toby

I had occasion to bleed several of the horses and, from the mere incision caused by the fleam, the necks of several swelled up very much although every precaution was adopted.

From McKinlay's Journal of Exploration in the Interior of Australia by McKinlay, John

Obviously the fleam makes the points weak, but this in coarse saws may be partially remedied by shaping the teeth as in Fig.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

The blade was positioned at right angles to the spring and case, thus adopting the basic shape of the fleam.

From Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology by Appel, Toby

Frequently a veterinary spring lancet or fleam is mistaken for a human lancet, or a scarificator for an instrument of venesection.

From Bloodletting Instruments in the National Museum of History and Technology by Appel, Toby