A pair of pinchers, or tongs; an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon, bodies which it would be inconvenient or impracticable to seize with the fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc. [1913 Webster]
The caudal forceps-shaped appendage of earwigs and some other insects. See Earwig. [1913 Webster]

Dressing forceps. See under Dressing.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

forceps, n. (pl. same)
1 surgical pincers, used for grasping and holding.
2 Bot. & Zool. an organ or structure resembling forceps.

Derivative

forcipate adj.

Etymology

L forceps forcipis

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ROGET THESAURUS

forceps

Retention

N retention, retaining, keep, detention, custody, tenacity, firm hold, grasp, gripe, grip, iron grip, fangs, teeth, claws, talons, nail, unguis, hook, tentacle, tenaculum, bond, clutches, tongs, forceps, pincers, nippers, pliers, vice, paw, hand, finger, wrist, fist, neaf, neif, bird in hand, captive, retaining, retentive, tenacious, unforfeited, undeprived, undisposed, uncommunicated, incommunicable, inalienable, in mortmain, in strict settlement, uti possidetis.

Extraction

N extraction, extracting, removal, elimination, extrication, eradication, evolution, evulsion, avulsion, wrench, expression, squeezing, extirpation, extermination, ejection, export, extractor, corkscrew, forceps, pliers, extracted.

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