operation

I

(Roget's IV) n.

1. [The act of causing to function]

Syn. execution, guidance, superintendence, carrying out, ordering, order, maintenance, handling, manipuLating, manipulation, supervision, control, conduct, agency, compelling, promoting, enforcing, enforcement, advancement, controlling, administering, reguLating, running, supervising, directing, transacting, transaction, conducting; see also administration 1 , regulation 1 .

2. [An action]

Syn. performance, act, employment, labor, service, carrying on, transaction, deed, doing, proceeding, handiwork, workmanship, exploitation, enterprise, movement, progression, progress, development, engagement, transference, conveyance, undertaking; see also action 1 , work 2 .

3. [A method]

Syn. process, formula, procedure; see method 2 , plan 2 .

4. [Surgical treatment]

Syn. surgery, biopsy, emergency operation, acupuncture, exploratory operation, clinical trial, section, excision, removal, vivisection, dissection, the knife*; see also medicine 3 , surgery , transplant .

Common surgical operations include: appendectomy, cystectomy, hysterectomy, mastectomy, tonsillectomy, gastrectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, colostomy, lobotomy, caesarian section, plastic surgery, facelift*, dermoplasty, rhinoplasty, amputation, coronary bypass, thyroidectomy, prostatectomy, laparotomy, keratotomy, keratoplasty, tracheotomy, spinal fusion, thoracotomy.

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) n.

1. exercise project, action, campaign, maneuver, organization, venture.

2. running performance, working, discharge, functioning.

3. surgical procedure surgery, incision, excision.

WORD FIND

• anesthetic used in localized area: local anesthetic

• appendix removal: appendectomy

• birth delivery through abdomen: Caesarian section, C-section

• blood vessel graft to improve blood flow: bypass

• boring hole in skull: trepanning

• brain, removal of front portion: lobotomy

• brain, spinal cord or nerve surgery: neurosurgery

• breast removal: mastectomy

• burning away of abnormal tissue: cauterization

• bypass: shunt

• cornea incisions to improve vision: radial keratotomy

• cutting nerve to relieve pain: denervation

• cutting surgically: incising

• cyst removal: cystectomy

• esophagus removal: esophagectomy

• exploratory: exploratory surgery

• exposure of brain: craniotomy

• extreme cold used to destroy abnormal tissue: cryosurgery

• fallopian tube closure to prevent pregnancy: tubal ligation

• gallbladder removal: cholecystectomy

• general pain blocker, unconsciousness inducer: general anesthesia

• gum surgery: gingivectomy

• inhaled anesthetic agent: ether

• joint exploration: arthroscopy

• kidney removal: nephrectomy

• large intestine removal: colectomy

• local anesthetic agent: lidocaine, procaine

• lung removal: pneumorectomy

• nose enhancement: rhinoplasty

• pancreas removal: pancreatectomy

• passage of tube into body part: intubation

• prostate gland removal: prostatectomy

• removal of tissue or organ: excision

• replacement of organ: transplant

• restoring blood vessel flow: angioplasty

• scraping of tissue: curettage

• sex change: transsex surgery

• sperm-blocking surgery: vasectomy

• spleen removal: splenectomy

• stitching of wound: suturing

• tissue sampling: biopsy

• tonsil removal: tonsillectomy

• transplant from one body part to another: graft

• tumor or mass removal: lumpectomy

• uterus removal: hysterectomy

• violent reaction to transplanted foreign organ: rejection reaction

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) noun 1. The way in which a machine or other thing performs or functions: behavior, functioning, performance, reaction, working (often used in plural). See ACTION, MACHINE. 2. The act of putting into play: application, employment, exercise, exertion, implementation, play, usage, use, utilization. See used: