scalpel
Americannoun
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Salt to the Sea
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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
The work in making government more efficient needs to be done with a scalpel, not a chainsaw.
From Salon ● Dec. 31, 2024
Then, in mid-February, a Hazleton animal caretaker who will be called John Coleus was performing a necropsy on a dead monkey when he cut his thumb with a scalpel.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
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
Aid workers told the senators the tents were refused because they included metal poles, and the medical kits because they included scalpels.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 6, 2024
Spending 148 days off the air blunted the scalpels of some more than others.
From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2023
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.
