bonesetter

noun

bone·​set·​ter ˈbōn-ˌse-tər How to pronounce bonesetter (audio)
: a person who sets broken or dislocated bones usually without being a licensed physician

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Across from a chocolate maker, a collective of herbalists, midwives, and bonesetters operate a small medicinal garden with plots of mugwort and rue, selling soaps and supplements out of their shop. —Julien Capmeil, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bonesetter.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1518, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonesetter was circa 1518

Dictionary Entries Near bonesetter

boneset

bonesetter

boneshaker

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Bonesetter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonesetter. Accessed 28 Jan. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

bonesetter

noun
bone·​set·​ter -ˌset-ər How to pronounce bonesetter (audio)
: a person who sets broken or dislocated bones usually without being a licensed physician
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of doctrinaire

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Fashionable Words

  • dog-sunglasses-scarf
  • Which of these items is named for a deadly weapon?
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games