Chirurgical

/kɪˈrɜrdʒɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Of, relating to, or characteristic of surgery or surgeons (archaic form of surgical).

Etymology

From chirurgic plus the suffix -al, creating a redundant double-suffix adjective. This excessive form demonstrates how language eventually simplifies redundant constructions.

Kelly Says

Chirurgical is an over-stuffed word that English eventually rejected—it had both -ic and -al doing the same job, so speakers naturally preferred the simpler 'surgical,' showing how languages self-correct for efficiency!

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