Bistouries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A small surgical knife used for making incisions with precision
2. A slender, sharp instrument employed in various medical procedures for cutting or dissecting tissue
3. A type of scalpel known for its narrow blade, commonly utilized in surgeries for delicate work

Etymology: "Bistouries" is the plural of "bistoury," a small surgical knife with a narrow blade, used for precise incisions. English took the noun from French "bistouri," which came from Italian. The most common explanation links the Italian term to Pistoia, a town in Tuscany where such blades may have been made. The connection is plausible but not firmly proven, and the exact route from the town's name to the Italian form remains uncertain.

Synonyms: scalpels, knives