a. arch. Forms: α. 6 cyrurgycall. β. 7 chyrurgical(l, cheir-, 7–9 chirurgical. [In earliest form, a. F. cirurgical, or med.L. cirurgicāl-is (f. c(h)irurgic-us see prec., and -AL: cf. also 16th c. It. cirurgico surgeon); but in 16th c. altered with the other words of the group to chir-.]
Of or pertaining to surgery; skilled in, practising, or treating of, surgery; surgical.
1541. R. Copland, Guydon’s Quest. Chirurg. Operacyons Cyrurgycalles.
1605. Timme, Quersit., Ded. 2. A chyrurgical hand.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), Pref. 8. By way of Apologie, to the Chirurgicall Reader.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand. (1812), I. 461. A set of chirurgical instruments. Ibid., xvii. The best chirurgical writers.
1806. A. Duncan, Nelson, 111. The surgeon … was performing the chirurgical operations.
1822. K. Digby, Broadst. Hon. (1846), 286. Chirurgical and medical knowledge.
¶ nonce-use. [with etymological reference.] Pertaining to manual operation or handicraft.
1641. Wilkins, Math. Magick, I. ii. (1648), 9. The Cheirurgical or Manuall [Mechanick], doth refer to the making of these instruments, and the exercising of such particular experiments.
