Middle English Dictionary Entry
tortelle n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tortelle n. Pl. tortelles, (error) torcelles. |
| Etymology | ML tortellus surgical instrument. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Surg. Some kind of instrument used in treating skull wounds, perh. a rasp.
Associated quotations
- ?a1425 Chauliac(1) (NY 12:Wallner)3.114/9 : Wiþ any quassasioun..it bihoueþ for to kut away þat is quasshed or first persing it in þe circuite by teribellez, i. persours, after þus usyng abscisours or bi tortellez [Ch.(2): torcelles; L tortellos] sone at bigynnyng.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc., see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. tortelle.