Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Surgeon?

\Sur"geon\, n. [OE. surgien, OF. surgien, contr. fr. chirurgien. See {Chirurgeon}.] 1. One whose profession or occupation is to cure diseases or injuries of the body by manual operation; one whose occupation is to cure local injuries or disorders (such as wounds, dislocations, tumors, etc.), whether by manual operation, or by medication and constitutional treatment. 2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of ch[ae]todont fishes of the family {Teuthid[ae]}, or {Acanthurid[ae]}, which have one or two sharp lancelike spines on each side of the base of the tail. Called also {surgeon fish}, {doctor fish}, {lancet fish}, and {sea surgeon}. {Surgeon apothecary}, one who unites the practice of surgery with that of the apothecary. --Dunglison. {Surgeon dentist}, a dental surgeon; a dentist. {Surgeon fish}. See def. 2, above. {Surgeon general}. (a) In the United States army, the chief of the medical department. (b) In the British army, a surgeon ranking next below the chief of the medical department.