Surg. [a. F. curette, f. curer in sense ‘to clear, cleanse,’ applied to various industrial tools as well as in the surgical use.] A small surgical instrument like a scoop, used in removing a cataract from the eye, wax from the ear, granulations, dried mucus, etc., from the throat, uterine cavity, bladder, etc. Also, a suction-instrument used in the removal of a soft cataract.
1753. Sharp, in Phil. Trans., XLVIII. 325. I then passed the curette (a little scoop) through the pupil.
1758. J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 259. I took off a Quantity of incrustated Gravel with the Currette.
1869. J. S. Wells, Diseases of Eye, 253. The convexity of the curette is to be placed against the edge of the cornea.
Hence Curette v., to scrape with a curette; Curetting vbl. sb.
1888. W. J. Smyly, in Brit. Med. Jrnl., 11 Feb., 290/1. My present practice is to curette in every case of disease affecting … the uterine mucous membrane.
1890. Braithwaite, Retrosp. Med., CII. 108. Antiseptic curetting in Endometritis (Puerperal).
