charpie

English

Etymology

From the feminine past participle of Old French charpir (“to pluck”), carpir (“to pluck”), from Latin carpō (“I pluck”). Compare carpet.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃɑɹpi/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃɑːpi/
• Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)pi

Noun

charpie (countable and uncountable, plural charpies)

1. (medicine, now historical) Straight threads obtained by unraveling old linen cloth, used for surgical dressings.
   • 1812, Frances Burney, Journals and Letters, Penguin, published 2001, page 436:

     M. d'Arblay filled a Closet with Charpie, compresses, and bandages – All that to me was owned, as wanting, was an arm Chair and some Towels.

French

Etymology

From the feminine past participle of Old French charpir (“to pluck”), carpir (“to pluck”), from Latin carpō (“to seize”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃaʁ.pi/

Noun

charpie f (plural charpies)

1. lint
2. (figuratively) shred

   Synonym: bouillie

Further reading

• “charpie”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Anagrams

• chipera, perchai, prêchai