rongeur

American  

[rohn-zhur, rawn-zhœr] / roʊnˈʒɜr, rɔ̃ˈʒœr /

noun

Surgery.

plural

rongeurs

1. a strongly constructed instrument with a sharp-edged, scoop-shaped tip, used for gouging out bone.

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Etymology

Origin of rongeur

1880–85; < French: literally, gnawer

Example Sentences

He had used a tool called a rongeur to chew up the scar tissue and had accidentally chewed up the scaphoid bone--ending Johnson's ability to do orthopedic surgery.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had used a tool called a rongeur to chew up the scar tissue and had accidentally chewed up the scaphoid bone�ending Johnson's ability to do orthopedic surgery.

From Time Magazine Archive

She handed him a pair of pliers called the rongeur.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

He put his helmet close to hers and spoke the word rongeur again, and she released her hose.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

If the symptoms point to suppuration having occurred between the bone and the dura, the skull should be trephined and further bone removed with the rongeur forceps as may be required.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander