surgeon
UK: ˈsɜːdʒən | US: ˈsɜːrdʒən
n. a medical professional qualified to perform surgical operations
n. (historically) a practitioner of manual healing arts, distinct from physicians
The word "surgeon" traces back to the Greek kheirourgos ("hand-worker"), combining kheir (hand) + ergon (work). Through Latin (chirurgia), Old French (cirurgien), and Middle English, it evolved into "surgeon," with "surge" reflecting the Latin root surgere (to rise/work) and "-eon" as an agentive suffix. The term originally emphasized manual skill, distinguishing surgeons from physicians who relied on theory.
The surgeon performed a life-saving heart operation.
She trained for years to become a skilled orthopedic surgeon.
Medieval surgeons often doubled as barbers.
The surgeon carefully sterilized the instruments before the procedure.
Advances in robotics are transforming how surgeons operate.