SURGICAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does surgical mean? 

• SURGICAL (adjective)
  The adjective SURGICAL has 3 senses:

1. of or relating to or involving or used in surgery

2. relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine

3. performed with great precision

  Familiarity information: SURGICAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SURGICAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to or involving or used in surgery

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Context example:

surgical intervention

Antonym:

nonsurgical (not surgical)

Pertainym:

surgery (a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body)

Derivation:

surgery (the branch of medical science that treats disease or injury by operative procedures)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Relating to or requiring or amenable to treatment by surgery especially as opposed to medicine

Synonyms:

operative; surgical

Context example:

operative dentistry

Similar:

preoperative (happening or done before and in preparation for a surgical operation)

postoperative (happening or done after a surgical operation)

Antonym:

medical (requiring or amenable to treatment by medicine especially as opposed to surgery)

Derivation:

surgery (a medical procedure involving an incision with instruments; performed to repair damage or arrest disease in a living body)

surgery (the branch of medical science that treats disease or injury by operative procedures)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Performed with great precision

Context example:

a surgical air strike

Similar:

accurate (conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy)

 Context examples 

Tiny surgical instruments are inserted through other openings to do the surgery.

(Minimally invasive surgery, NCI Dictionary)

Surgical removal of part of the uterine body, frequently performed as a treatment for leiomyomas.

(Myomectomy, NCI Thesaurus)

The surgical removal of all or part of the foot.

(Amputation of Foot, NCI Thesaurus)

The surgical removal of a toe.

(Amputation of Toe, NCI Thesaurus)

A surgical procedure used to treat skin cancer.

(Mohs micrographic surgery, NCI Dictionary)

The study of the administration of compounds that result in the loss of sensation for a purpose, such as a surgical procedure.

(Anesthesiology, NCI Thesaurus)

But now, if you are of my opinion, we have had thrills enough for one day, and had best get back to the surgical box at the camp for some carbolic.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Surgical removal of part or all of the adrenal gland.

(Adrenalectomy, NCI Thesaurus)

A surgical procedure to completely or partially remove a kidney.

(Nephrectomy, NCI Thesaurus)

Anxiolysis is caused by special drugs and is used to help relieve anxiety during certain medical or surgical procedures.

(Anxiolysis, NCI Dictionary)