incision

Everyday

1. An incision is a careful cut made into something, especially a cut a surgeon makes into the body during an operation. tree →
2. An incision is a neat cut or notch made with a sharp tool. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons and hospital stories a surgeon makes an incision, then closes it with stitches. In science, «incisors» (front teeth) come from the same Latin word for cutting. In crafts and cooking an incision is a small precise cut. Phrases: «make an incision», «a small incision», «surgical incision».

Examples

• The surgeon made a small incision to take out the appendix. tree →
• After the operation the incision was closed with stitches. tree →
• Keep the incision clean and dry. tree →
• The vet made an incision in the dog's paw to remove the thorn. tree →
• The chef made an incision in each sausage. tree →
• The scar from the incision faded over time. tree →

Note

Countable: one incision, two incisions. Formal or medical word; in everyday talk people say «cut». Related: «incisor» (a front tooth), «incisive» (sharp and clear, of a comment). Sounds like «in-SIZH-un».