1 trepan | Definition of trepan

trepan

verb (1)
tre·​pan | \ tri-ˈpan How to pronounce trepan (audio) \
trepanned; trepanning

Definition of trepan

 (Entry 1 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to use a trephine on (the skull)
2 : to remove a disk or cylindrical core (as from metal for testing)

trepan

noun (1)
tre·​pan | \ ˈtrē-ˌpan How to pronounce trepan (audio) , tri-ˈpan\

Definition of trepan (Entry 2 of 4)

: a heavy tool used in boring mine shafts

trepan

noun (2)
tre·​pan | \ tri-ˈpan How to pronounce trepan (audio) \

Definition of trepan (Entry 3 of 4)

1 archaic : trickster
2 archaic : a deceptive device : snare

trepan

verb (2)
tre·​pan | \ tri-ˈpan How to pronounce trepan (audio) \
trepanned; trepanning

Definition of trepan (Entry 4 of 4)

Other Words from trepan

Verb (1)

trepanation \ ˌtre-​pə-​ˈnā-​shən How to pronounce trepanation (audio) \ noun

First Known Use of trepan

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

circa 1877, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for trepan

Verb (1)

Middle English, from trepane trephine

Noun (1)

Middle English trepane trephine, Anglo-French trepan, from Medieval Latin trepanum, from Greek trypanon auger, from trypan to bore

Noun (2)

origin unknown

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Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with trepan