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Dictionary Language resources

trepan

Pronunciation: /trɪˈpan/

Definition of trepan

noun

1chiefly historical a trephine (hole saw) used by surgeons for perforating the skull.

2a borer for sinking shafts.

verb (trepans, trepanning, trepanned)

[with object]

perforate (a person’s skull) with a trepan.

Derivatives

trepanation

Origin:

late Middle English: the noun via medieval Latin from Greek trupanon, from trupan 'to bore', from trupē 'hole'; the verb from Old French trepaner