Definition of trepan

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trepan >

tre·pan¹    (tr-pn) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A rock-boring tool used in mining for sinking shafts.
2. Medicine A trephine.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
tre·panned, tre·pan·ning, tre·pans

1. To bore (a shaft) with a trepan.
2. Medicine To trephine.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English trepane, surgical crown saw, from Medieval Latin trepanum, from Greek trpanon, borer, from trpn, to pierce, from trp, hole; see ter-¹ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
trepa·nation  (trp-nshn) KEY (Noun)