Surgery

Definition

Surgery refers to a medical procedure involving the manual and instrumental treatment of injuries, diseases, or deformities, often requiring an incision or manipulation of tissues.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɝː.dʒɚ.i/
• Respelling: SUR-juh-ree

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈsɜː.dʒər.i/
• Respelling: SUR-juh-ree

Etymology

The term "surgery" originates from the Greek "kheirourgia," combining "kheir" (hand) and "ergon" (work), meaning "hand work." It was adapted into Latin as "chirurgia" and later into Old French as "surgerie," before entering Middle English as "surgery."

Derivatives

• Surgical (adjective)
• Surgeon (noun)
• Surgically (adverb)
• Presurgery (noun/adjective)
• Postsurgery (noun/adjective)

Synonyms

• Operation
• Procedure
• Intervention

Antonyms

• Healing (without intervention)
• Observation
• Conservative treatment

Usage

The noun "surgery" is often used to describe medical operations or clinics where consultations take place. For example, "The patient underwent a successful surgery to repair a fractured bone."

Related Terms

• Incision: A cut made during a surgical procedure.
• Anesthesia: Medication used to prevent pain during surgery.
• Recovery: The process of healing after a surgical procedure.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The branch of medicine involving operations: Refers to the practice of treating diseases, injuries, or deformities by operative methods.
  • Example: "She specializes in cardiac surgery."
• A medical operation: Refers to a specific procedure performed by a surgeon.
  • Example: "The surgery lasted for four hours."
• A location where medical consultations occur (chiefly British): Refers to a clinic or office where patients meet with doctors or surgeons.
  • Example: "He visited the doctor’s surgery for a consultation."