Skip to the word

Added 9 October 2026

surgical

/ˈsɜːd͡ʒɪkəl/ adjective

Latin root: cirurgicālis Wiktionary

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about surgical at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Of, relating to, used in, or resulting from surgery.
Precise or very accurate.
The building was destroyed with a surgical air-strike.
Excruciatingly or wearyingly drawn-out.

Origin

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 læċe (“doctor, physician”). By surface analysis, surgery + -ical.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word