different between pliers vs forceps

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?pla?.?(?)z/
• Rhymes: -a??(?)z

Etymology 1

From ply (“to bend”) +? -er +? -s

Noun

pliers pl (plural only)

1. A pincer-like gripping tool that multiplies the strength of the user's hand, often used for bending things.

   I need a pair of pliers to get a good grip on that broken screw.

Usage notes

• To make clear the quantity under discussion, the expressions "a pair of pliers" or "(however many) pairs of pliers" can be used.
• "A pliers" is somewhat awkward, though accepted in American English.

Derived terms

• needlenose pliers

Translations

See also

• pincers

Etymology 2

Noun

pliers

1. plural of plier

Anagrams

• Lisper, Perlis, lisper, perils, pilers, priles, sirple

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin forceps.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f??s?ps/, /?f??s?ps/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?f??s?ps/

Noun

forceps (plural forceps or forcipes or forcepses)

1. An instrument used in surgery or medical procedures for grasping and holding objects, similar to tongs or pincers.

Usage notes

Although the Latin word is singular, this word is often treated as a plurale tantum by analogy with names for similar items such as tongs and tweezers: this forceps or these forceps (or even pair of forceps).

Synonyms

• pair of forceps

Hyponyms

• serrefine

Derived terms

• forceps delivery
• microforceps

Translations

Latin

Etymology

From Proto-Italic *formokaps through syncope. Surface etymology: from formus (“warm”) +? -ceps (“taker”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /?for.keps/, [?f?rk?ps?]
• (Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /?for.t??eps/, [?f?rt???ps]

Noun

forceps m (genitive forcipis); third declension

1. (pair of) tongs, pincers, forceps

Declension

Third-declension noun.

Related terms

• forcipatus

Descendants

References

• forceps in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• forceps in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
• forceps in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)
• forceps in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré Latin-Français, Hachette
• forceps in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
• forceps in William Smith et al., editor (1890) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin

Romanian

Etymology

From French forceps.

Noun

forceps n (plural forcepsuri)

1. forceps

Declension