tenaculum

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: te=nac=u=lum

CIDE DICTIONARY

tenaculum, n. [L., a holder, fr. tenere to hold. Cf. Tenaille.].

 An instrument consisting of a fine, sharp hook attached to a handle, and used mainly for taking up arteries, and the like.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

tenaculum, n. (pl. tenacula) a surgeon's sharp hook for picking up arteries etc.

Etymology

L, = holding instrument, f. tenere hold

ROGET THESAURUS

tenaculum

Retention

N retention, retaining, keep, detention, custody, tenacity, firm hold, grasp, gripe, grip, iron grip, fangs, teeth, claws, talons, nail, unguis, hook, tentacle, tenaculum, bond, clutches, tongs, forceps, pincers, nippers, pliers, vice, paw, hand, finger, wrist, fist, neaf, neif, bird in hand, captive, retaining, retentive, tenacious, unforfeited, undeprived, undisposed, uncommunicated, incommunicable, inalienable, in mortmain, in strict settlement, uti possidetis.