Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin vēnaesectiō, vēnae sectiō "cutting of a vein" — more at vein entry 1, section entry 1

First Known Use

1661, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of venesection was in 1661

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Venesection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venesection. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Medical Definition

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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