surgical English · revision 10347

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1770|origins=en surgery|origins=fr cirurgical}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈsɜːd͡ʒɪkəl/ ''(UK)''; /ˈsɝd͡ʒɪkəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[surgery]] or [[surgeon]] with the suffix [[-ical]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) after French cirurgical, from Old French cirurgien,^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) replacing the earlier chirurgical (early 15th century).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Relating to surgery or surgeons: 1770.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ ''Surgically'' is from 1805.^(OED 1989) As a noun, a surgical case or ward, it is colloquial from 1828.^(OED 1989) Resulting from surgery is from 1859,^(OED 1989) and of garments worn to correct a condition, ''surgical stockings'', from 1896.^(OED 1989) Figurative use is from 1939,^(OED 1989) and a swift and precise military attack, a ''surgical strike'', originally American, from 1965.^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – chirurgical.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1770 – surgical.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1805 – surgically.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1896 – surgical garments.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1965 – a surgical strike.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or used in [[surgery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Resulting from or following surgery.^(AHD)

+ # Performed with great precision, as a military attack.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[surgically]]

+ * [[nonsurgical]]

+ * [[postsurgical]]

+ * [[presurgical]]

+ * [[surgicenter]]

+ * [[unsurgical]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[surgery]]

+ * [[surgeon]]

+ * [[chirurgeon]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ A military style guide quoted by Etymonline advises reporters not to use ''surgical strike'' except in quotations, since there is no such thing.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}