vagotomy

noun

va·​got·​o·​my vā-ˈgä-tə-mē How to pronounce vagotomy (audio)
plural vagotomies
: surgical division of the vagus nerve

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Vagotomie, from Vagus vagus nerve + -o- -o- + -tomie -tomy

First Known Use

circa 1903, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vagotomy was circa 1903

Dictionary Entries Near vagotomy

Cite this Entry

“Vagotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vagotomy. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

vagotomy

noun
va·​got·​o·​my vā-ˈgät-ə-mē How to pronounce vagotomy (audio)
plural vagotomies
: surgical division of the vagus nerve
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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