forceps

Borrowed from Latin forceps.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈfɔːsɛps/, /ˈfɔːsəps/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈfɔɹsɛps/

forceps (plural forceps or forcipes or forcepses)

1. An instrument used in surgery or medical procedures for grasping and holding objects, similar to tongs or pincers.

Although the Latin word is singular, this word is often treated as a plurale tantum by analogy with names for similar items such as tongs and tweezers: this forceps or these forceps (or even pair of forceps).

• serrefine

• forceps delivery
• microforceps

From Proto-Italic *formokaps through syncope. Surface etymology: from formus (“warm”) +‎ -ceps (“taker”).

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /ˈfor.keps/, [ˈfɔr.kɛps]

forceps m (genitive forcipis); third declension

1. (pair of) tongs, pincers, forceps

Third declension.

• forcipatus

• forceps in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• forceps in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• forceps in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• forceps in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• forceps in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• forceps in William Smith et al., editor (1890) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin