trepan

1 of 4

verb (1)

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

transitive verb

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

trepan

2 of 4

noun (1)

tre·​pan ˈtrē-ˌpan How to pronounce trepan (audio)
tri-ˈpan
: a heavy tool used in boring mine shafts

trepan

3 of 4

noun (2)

tre·​pan tri-ˈpan How to pronounce trepan (audio)
1
archaic : trickster
2
archaic : a deceptive device : snare

trepan

4 of 4

verb (2)

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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of trepan was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near trepan

Cite this Entry

“Trepan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trepan. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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