surgical

From Middle English cirurgical, borrowed from Middle French cirurgical, from Medieval Latin cirurgicālis, ultimately from Ancient Greek χειρουργία (kheirourgía), from χείρ (kheír, “hand”) + ἔργον (érgon, “work”). Replaced Old English Old English læce (“doctor, physician”). Cognate with Icelandic lækni (“medical”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈsɜːd͡ʒɪkəl/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɝd͡ʒɪkəl/

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surgical (comparative more surgical, superlative most surgical)

1. Of, relating to, used in, or resulting from surgery.
   • 2013 May-June, Charles T. Ambrose, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, in American Scientist‎, volume 101, number 3, page 200:

     Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads.

2. (figuratively) Precise or very accurate.

   The building was destroyed with a surgical air-strike.

3. (figuratively) Excruciatingly or wearyingly drawn-out