scalpellum

Forms

scalpellum n (genitive scalpellī); second declension^[1] A masculine form scalpellus is certain in Celsus.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is from Latin scalprum (“tool for scraping or cutting”) + -lum, a diminutive.^[2][1][3] The base noun is in turn formed on scalpō (“to scratch, carve”).^[1][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Cicero,^[5][6] as the surgeon's small knife: in the Pro Sestio and the De divinatione he speaks of applying the scalpel (scalpellum adhibēre).^[3][6]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it was above all the surgical lancet, used by Celsus, Columella and Pliny the Elder;^[3][7] the OLD also records a similar instrument used in grafting.^[2] In the Vulgate, a scribe's knife (scalpellum scrībae) is a penknife.^[3][7][6]

Medieval Latin used it for any small sharp tool for scraping, cutting, engraving or boring, specially for scraping errors off parchment, as well as for the surgeon's knife.^[8] English borrowed it as scalpel in the 18th century.^[4]

Timeline

• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the surgeon's knife.^[3][6][5]
• 14–37 AD – Celsus has the masculine scalpellus.^[2][3][5]
• 1st century AD – Columella uses it.^[3][5]
• 390–406 AD – The Vulgate uses it for a scribe's penknife.^[7][6][5]
• 1742 – English borrows it as scalpel.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. A small surgical knife, scalpel, lancet.^[2][3][7]
2. A similar knife used in grafting.^[2]
3. (Late Latin) A penknife (scalpellum scrībae).^[3][7]
4. (Medieval Latin) A small tool for scraping, cutting, engraving or boring, especially for erasing writing on parchment.^[8]

Related words

• scalpō
• English scalpel

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c d e Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b c d e Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
8. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press