auriscalpia
|au-ris-cal-pi-a|
/ˌɔːrɪˈskælpɪə/
ear‑scraper / ear‑pick
Etymology
'auriscalpia' originates from Latin (via New Latin), specifically the word 'auriscalpium,' where 'auris' meant 'ear' and 'scalpere' meant 'to scrape or scratch'.
'auriscalpia' changed from medieval/New Latin 'auriscalpium' and was used in older English and scientific writings as a form related to that Latin term; in taxonomy the closely related New Latin form 'Auriscalpium' became standard for the fungal genus.
Initially it meant 'an ear‑scraper' (a small instrument for cleaning the ear); over time the term was also applied in scientific contexts (as a name or variant spelling) and is now rare or obsolete in general English.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
(rare, obsolete) plural or collective name for ear‑picks; small instruments used to remove earwax (from Latin auriscalpium).
Antique auriscalpia were displayed in the cabinet.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(rare, historical, in taxonomy/literature) a variant or historical form related to the New Latin name Auriscalpium, applied in some older texts to a group of fungi (the pine‑cone mushroom genus).
Some 19th‑century sources use auriscalpia as a variant spelling referring to Auriscalpium species.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/21 05:18