surgical
/ˈsəːdʒɪk(ə)l
/adjective
1Relating to or used in surgery: a surgical dressing a surgical ward...
- The operation is a surgical procedure performed using general anaesthetic and, like all surgery, carries a degree of risk.
- We performed every kind of surgery in the surgical unit, including cesarean sections.
- The title of the appointment was rather meaningless as he soon had his own surgical wards, where his skills in intestinal surgery and liver resection were legendary.
1.1(Of a special garment or appliance) worn to correct or relieve an injury, illness, or deformity: surgical stockings...
- In the UK, an appliance means a surgical garment allowing hernia sufferers to walk about unaided.
- A surgical bra must be worn post-op for two weeks or more, though you can usually return to work in seven to 14 days.
2Done with great precision, especially with reference to a swift and highly accurate military attack from the air: surgical bombing...
- Despite all the talk of precision bombing and surgical strikes, ‘collateral damage’ is reaching an embarrassing level.
- We should always be skeptical when so-called experts suggest that all a particular crisis calls for is a little surgical bombing or a limited attack.
- All military services connected through IT resources will have more precise and surgical capabilities.
Origin
Late 18th century (earlier as chirurgical): from French cirurgical, from Old French sirurgie (see surgery).