[1855–60; splen- + -ectomy]This word is first recorded in the period 1855–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: boilerplate, output, pickup, pipeline, superheat-ectomy is a combining form meaning “excision” of the part specified by the initial element,used in the formation of compound words. Other words that use the affix -ectomy include: atherectomy, endarterectomy, laminectomy, sclerectomy, vitrectomy