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
Code Talker
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Salt to the Sea
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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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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:
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
But few legislators could handle a lawmaking scalpel like Burton.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2025
Chapman had applied gauze to Williams' mouth, not a scalpel.
From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2025
I saw him take out a sort of scalpel which had a long steel handle and a small pointed blade.
From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl
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
That would cover not just medication but any item used in a surgical abortion, such as gloves or scalpels.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 8, 2023
Spending 148 days off the air blunted the scalpels of some more than others.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2023
Are the doctors afraid that I’ll wake up midsurgery and be horrified by the scalpels or blood?
From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman
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.
