forceps

American  

[fawr-suhps, -seps] / ˈfɔr səps, -sɛps /

noun

forceps, plural forcipes plural

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, especially a pair of appendages at the posterior of certain insects.

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forceps British  

/ ˈfɔːsɪps /

noun

1. 1. a surgical instrument in the form of a pair of pincers, used esp in the delivery of babies

   2. ( as modifier )

      a forceps baby

2. any pincer-like instrument

3. any part or structure of an organism shaped like a forceps

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• forceps-like
  adjective
• forcepslike
  adjective
• forcipial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• forceps
  plural
• forcipes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of forceps

1625–35; < Latin: pair of tongs, pincers, said to be a contraction of *formiceps, equivalent to form ( us ) warm + -i- -i- + -ceps -taker, derivative of capere to take ( cf. prince), i.e., that which takes hot things; compare, however, forpex, forfex tongs, shears, from which forceps may have been formed by folk etymology

Compare meaning

How does forceps compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• forceps vs. hemostat

Example Sentences

Forceps were first used during difficult deliveries to save the lives of mother and child.

From Washington Post • Oct. 13, 2017

One of the twelve speakers at the general scientific meetings, he was asked to present his mile-long talking cinema called The Forceps Operation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Forceps brought the second baby into the world.

From Time Magazine Archive

Forceps, scalpels, hypodermic syringes and stethoscopes are precision-made and therefore expensive.

From Time Magazine Archive

Forceps and burrs are their unwearied jest across the years.

From Hints to Pilgrims by Brooks, Charles Stephen