curettage
UK[kjʊəˈrɛtɪdʒ]US[ˌkjʊrəˈtɑːʒ]
n
a surgical procedure involving the scraping of tissue from a body cavity, such as the uterus, with a curette.
n
the material removed by such a procedure.
Morpheme Breakdown
curett
age
curett
scraper
age
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'curettage' is a modern medical term derived from french. its core component, 'curett', originates from the french 'curette', a small surgical instrument whose name is based on the verb 'curer' (to clean). this verb, in turn, traces back to the latin 'curare', meaning 'to take care of', which is itself derived from 'cura' (care, concern). the suffix '-age', of french/latin origin, is added to form a noun denoting the associated action or process. thus, the literal 'process of using a scraper (to clean)' evolved into the specific surgical meaning of scraping tissue for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
Analysis
Structure: curett (scraper) + age (noun suffix)
curett (from french 'curette', a diminutive of 'curer' meaning 'to clean, to cure', from latin 'curare' meaning 'to take care of'); age (a noun-forming suffix of french/latin origin indicating an action, process, or result).
Examples
the patient underwent a dilation and curettage following the miscarriage.
the biopsy sample was obtained via endometrial curettage.
the pathologist examined the curettage to determine if any abnormal cells were present.