incision

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪnˈsɪʒən/
• American: in-SIZH-un

Origin

From Latin "incisio" (a cutting into), derived from "incidere" (to cut into), from in- (into) + caedere (to cut)

Meanings

1. (n) A surgical cut made into body tissue or an organ
2. (n) A cut, gash, or notch made by cutting into something
3. (n) The act of cutting into something

Example Sentences

1. "The surgeon made a small incision in the patient's abdomen to remove the appendix."
2. "She traced her finger along the precise incision in the paper."
3. "The diamond cutter carefully planned each incision to maximize the gem's value."

Related Words

• Forms:
  • Verb: incise
  • Adjective: incisive
  • Adverb: incisively
• Synonyms:
  • cut
  • slash
  • gash
  • laceration
  • slit

Memory Tricks

1. Think "IN-CIS-ion" = "cutting IN" (the prefix 'in-' means into, and 'cis' relates to cutting)
2. Remember the phrase "precise incision" - surgeons always make precise (careful) cuts
3. Connect it with "scissors" - both words share the root related to cutting