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surgery

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈsɝdʒɝi// UK //sˈɜːdʒəɹi// surgery General-service Slang

n. a medical treatment where a doctor cuts into your body to fix or remove something. It can also mean the room or building where a doctor or dentist works.

n. the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of injuries or diseases by instrumental or manual operations. Also refers to the physical premises where a general practitioner or dentist consults with patients.


SIMPLE

She needs surgery on her knee next week.

CONTEXTUAL

The patient was admitted to the hospital early in the morning to prepare for heart surgery.

COMPLEX

Advancements in robotic technology have allowed surgeons to perform complex abdominal surgery with minimal incisions, significantly reducing the recovery time for most patients.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English surgerie, from Old French surgerie, from Latin chirurgia, from Ancient Greek χειρουργία (kheirourgía), from χείρ (kheír, “hand”) + ἔργον (érgon, “work”). Doublet of chirurgy.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the medical field or the act of operating; countable when referring to a doctor's office or a specific scheduled session.

Pitfall

The doctor made a surgeryThe doctor performed surgerySurgery is not used with the verb 'make'; use 'perform', 'carry out', or 'do'.

Idioms2 entries

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