Phlebotomy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /flɪˈbÉ’tÉ™mi/

Origin

From Old French flebothomie (French phlébotomie), from Late Latin phlebotomia, from Ancient Greek φλεβοτόμος (phlebotomos, "that opens a vein"), from φλέψ (phleps, "vein").

Full definition of phlebotomy

Noun

1. The opening of a vein, either to withdraw blood or for letting blood; venesection.
• 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.5.1.ii:Phlebotomy is promiscuously used before and after physick, commonly before and upon occasion is often reiterated, if there be any need at least of it.
• 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:He had even taken from his pocket a cupping apparatus, and was about to proceed to phlebotomy, when the object of his anxious solicitude suddenly revived ....