Word Study
trephine
CIDE DICTIONARY
trephine, n. [A dim. of 1st trepan: cf. F. tréphine.].
An instrument for trepanning, being an improvement on the trepan. It is a circular or cylindrical saw, with a handle like that of a gimlet, and a little sharp perforator called the center pin. [1913 Webster]
trephine, v. t.
To perforate with a trephine; to trepan. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
trephine, n. & v.
--n. an improved form of trepan with a guiding centre-pin.
--v.tr. operate on with this.
--n. an improved form of trepan with a guiding centre-pin.
--v.tr. operate on with this.
Derivative
trephination n.
Etymology
orig. trafine, f. L tres fines three ends, app. formed after TREPAN
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