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Glite Dictionary
barber-surgery

barber-surgery

9.9
An old job where people who cut hair also do small operations and pull teeth
  • noun
  • /ˈbɑːrbər ˈsɜrdʒəri/
  • Archaic
translation icon : barbería quirúrgica
  • In medieval Europe, barber-surgery included bloodletting and tooth extractions.

Examples

  • The decline of barber-surgery coincided with the professionalization of medicine in the 18th century.

  • Historical texts often reference barber-surgery when discussing early medical practices.

  • In the Middle Ages, barber-surgery was a common practice.

  • The barber-surgery profession included bloodletting and tooth extraction.

  • In medieval Europe, barber-surgery included practices like bloodletting and tooth extractions.

  • The profession of barber-surgery involved both cutting hair and performing various medical procedures.

  • Historical texts often discuss barber-surgery to illustrate the medical practices of the past.

How Archaic

chirurgeon
  • Archaic
1 9.9
barber-surgery
  • Archaic
9.9
surgeon
783 3.2

Surface Forms

barber-surgery singular
barber-surgeries plural

Morphology

barber-surgery = barber + surgery (transparent) = barber + surgery

The meaning is directly composed from 'barber' + 'surgery'—barbers performing surgical work—which learners can infer from the parts.

Etymology

Barber-surgery joins barber, a word for someone who cuts hair that comes from a root meaning 'beard', and surgery, meaning 'medical operations'. In the past barbers let people bleed and pulled teeth as well as gave haircuts, so barber-surgery names the old practice of barbers doing medical and dental work.