scalpel
Americannoun
-
scalpels
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of scalpel
1735–45; < Latin scalpellum, diminutive of scalprum tool for scraping or paring (derivative of scalpere to scratch); for formation see castellum
Explanation
A scalpel is a special kind of knife used by doctors, particularly surgeons. Scalpels are small, lightweight, and have a fine, sharp blade. Most scalpels used in surgery have extremely sharp, removable blades that can be replaced. When a surgeon uses a scalpel, she holds it using either the "dinner knife" grip, for large incisions, or the "pencil" grip, for smaller cuts. A medical student dissecting an animal also uses a scalpel, and in some cases artists use them for making fine cuts. In Latin, a scalpellum is a "surgical knife," from scalpere, "to carve."
Vocabulary lists containing scalpel
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Salt to the Sea
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
McMorris said access to public records is a “moral issue,” and fixing any problems with the current law requires “a scalpel, not a meat ax.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
With AI, hyperscale customers who know exactly what they want can use Tan’s ASICs as a scalpel, rather than turn to the Swiss Army knife of Nvidia’s general-purpose chips.
From Barron's ● Jun. 19, 2026
“How can we improve the product, make it out-and-out racing and look at what can improve in terms of safety. But act with a scalpel and not with a baseball bat.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
Chapman had applied gauze to Williams' mouth, not a scalpel.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2025
He used a local anaesthetic called something or other “snow,” which froze the tissue and avoided pain until the probe, the scalpel or the forceps got below the frozen portion.
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
On any given day, suitcases contain supplies that would accommodate a hospital operating room, including scalpels, needles and IV bags.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Excess fluid pressure buildup in the eye is a risk factor; it’s treated with medication, or lasers or scalpels that eventually relieve the pressure.
From Science Magazine ● Jan. 18, 2024
Spending 148 days off the air blunted the scalpels of some more than others.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2023
However, the surgery-phobic may be relieved to know experts can now perform facial improvements without scalpels and syringes.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
In angry weariness he opened the wall cabinet and collected scalpels and clamps, sponges and tubes of sutures, to put in his bag.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
