rongeur

[rohn-zhur, rawn-zhœr]

noun

Surgery.

plural

rongeurs 

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rongeur¹

1880–85; < French: literally, gnawer

Example Sentences

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

Read more on Literature

She handed him a pair of pliers called the rongeur.

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Once the surgeons have a clear path, they use a sharp cutting tool called a rongeur to remove bits of spinal bone.

Read more on Washington Post

Rongeur, rong-zhėr, n. a forceps for gouging bones.

Read more on Project Gutenberg

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.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive