Ecarteur is a French word used to describe a type of body piercing jewelry that gradually stretches the earlobe. The word is pronounced as "e-kar-tør" with the first syllable "e" sounding like the "e" in "bet", the second syllable "kar" pronounced with a hard "k" and the final syllable "tør" pronounced with an open "o" similar to the "o" in "more". The spelling of Ecarteur is derived from the French verb "écarter" which means to separate, indicating how the jewelry gradually stretches the earlobe.
An "ecarteur" refers to a specific type of body piercing jewelry, commonly associated with stretched earlobes. Derived from the French word meaning "spreader" or "separator," an ecarteur is designed to gradually expand the size of a piercing hole to accommodate larger gauge jewelry. Unlike other types of stretched earlobe jewelry, such as plugs or tunnels, an ecarteur is primarily used in the stretching process itself.
Typically made of surgical steel, acrylic, or other body-safe materials, an ecarteur consists of a straight barbell with conical ends. As a wearer progresses through the stretching journey, they will gradually replace the ecarteur with jewelry of increasingly larger diameter until reaching the desired gauge. This slow and careful process minimizes potential trauma to the tissue and allows the earlobe to adapt gradually to the expansion.
Ecarteurs come in various sizes and thicknesses to suit different stretching needs. It is crucial to use sterile and quality materials, as well as proper techniques, to avoid complications like tearing, infection, or scarring. Removing an ecarteur without replacement can result in earlobe shrinkage, leaving a visible hole instead of the stretched flesh.
Beyond the body modification community, the term "ecarteur" may also be used in the medical field to describe a surgical instrument used to separate or expand tissues during certain procedures. However, it is primarily in the context of body piercing and stretching where the term finds a more common and well-known usage.
A retractor.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "écarteur" is of French origin and comes from the verb "écarter", which means "to separate" or "to move apart". It is derived from the Old French word "escart", meaning "division" or "separation". In the context of bullfighting, an "écarteur" is a person who deftly maneuvers and avoids the charges of the bull during the spectacle. Over time, the term has also been used more broadly to refer to anyone who excels in evading or avoiding danger or confrontation.