dilator

or di·lat·er

[ dahy-ley-ter, dih-, dahy-ley- ]

noun

1. Anatomy. a muscle that dilates some cavity of the body.
2. Surgery. an instrument for dilating body canals, orifices, or cavities.

dilator

/ daɪˈleɪtə; ˌdaɪləˈteɪtə; ˌdɪ-; dɪ- /

noun

1. something that dilates an object, esp a surgical instrument for dilating a bodily cavity
2. a muscle that expands an orifice or dilates an organ

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilator¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; dilate + -or ²

Example Sentences

Sterilized vaseline or glycerine of perchloride of mercury may be smeared over the point of the dilator to facilitate its passage.

From Project Gutenberg

This shoe is also provided with bar-clips, and forcibly expanded at the heels by means of a dilator.

From Project Gutenberg

The only difficulty which may be experienced is in entering the dilator into the punctum, owing to the small size of the latter.

From Project Gutenberg

This is reassuring to the surgeon, and at this point the dilator should be introduced and the ansthetic abandoned.

From Project Gutenberg

This leaden dilator is referred to over and over again by Hippocrates.

From Project Gutenberg