pledget

American  

[plej-it] / ˈplɛdʒ ɪt /

noun

1. a small, flat mass of lint, absorbent cotton, or the like, for use on a wound, sore, etc.

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pledget British  

/ ˈplɛdʒɪt /

noun

1. a small flattened pad of wool, cotton, etc, esp for use as a pressure bandage to be applied to wounds or sores

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Etymology

Origin of pledget

First recorded in 1530–40; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Then she bound over the wound the soft pledget of old linen she had brought, and tied round his head a cotton rag to hold the dressing in place.

From The Leatherwood God by Howells, William Dean

Finally a pledget of dry cotton should be loosely packed into the ear passage, and worn by the patient for twelve or twenty-four hours.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI) by Winslow, Kenelm

In six hours the bandage was to be taken off, and the pledget allowed to drop spontaneously.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

TOOTHACHE.—When there is a cavity in an aching tooth it should be cleaned of food, and a little pledget of cotton wool wrapped on a toothpick may be used to wipe the cavity dry.

From The Home Medical Library, Volume II (of VI) by Winslow, Kenelm

Penicil, pen′i-sil, n. a brush of hairs: a pledget for wounds, &c.—adjs.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various