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trepan¹ Definition

tre·pan (trē pan′, tri-)

noun

  1. an early form of the trephine
  2. a heavy boring tool for sinking shafts, quarrying, etc.

Etymology: ME trepane < ML trepanum < Gr trypanon, carpenters' tool, auger, trepan < trypan, to bore < IE *treup- < base *ter-, to bore, rub > throw

transitive verb -·panned′, -·pan′·ning

  1. trephine
  2. to cut a disk out of (a metal plate, ingot, etc.)

trepan¹ Related Forms
trep′a·na′·tion noun
trepan² Definition

tre·pan (trē pan′)

noun

  1. a person or thing that tricks, traps, or ensnares
  2. a trick; stratagem; trap

Etymology: older trapan, prob. < trap, but infl. by fig. use of trepan

transitive verb -·panned′, -·pan′·ning

Archaic to trick, trap, or lure

trepan Synonyms

trepan

v.

trick, trap, lure; see deceive.

trepan Usage Examples

Object

  • skull: About 40 trepanned skulls have been found in Britain, from Neolithic to post-medieval times.