barber surgery

1 definition found

barber surgery - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Barber \Bar"ber\ (b[aum]r"b[~e]r), n. [OE. barbour, OF. barbeor,
     F. barbier, as if fr. an assumed L. barbator, fr. barba
     beard. See 1st Barb.]
     One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to
     cut and dress the hair of his patrons.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Barber's itch. See under Itch.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Formerly the barber practiced some offices of surgery,
           such as letting blood and pulling teeth. Hence such
           terms as barber surgeon (old form
  
     barber chirurgeon),
  
     barber surgery, etc.
        [1913 Webster]