How Do You Spell TOURNIQUET?

Pronunciation: [tˈʊ͡ənɪkˌe͡ɪ] (IPA)

The word "tourniquet" is spelled with a silent "q," and is pronounced /ˈtʊrnɪkət/. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word indicates that it begins with the "t" sound, followed by the "er" sound, which is represented by the "o" in the spelling. The "n" sound is pronounced before the "i" and "qu" combination is used to represent the "k" sound. Finally, the word ends with the "et" sound. Even though the spelling of this word may be tricky, its pronunciation is straightforward with the help of the IPA transcription.

TOURNIQUET Meaning and Definition

1. A tourniquet is a medical tool or device used to compress or constrict a specific area of the body. Primarily employed to halt the excessive flow of blood, it is typically applied in emergency situations or during surgical procedures. Tourniquets consist of a band or strap that can be tightened around a limb, often with the aid of a mechanical device or a twist stick, to exert pressure on underlying blood vessels.

   The purpose of a tourniquet is to temporarily cut off circulation to a particular region, such as an injured limb, to mitigate severe bleeding and prevent further blood loss. By restricting blood flow, it aids in controlling hemorrhage, particularly in situations where direct pressure on the wound may not effectively stop the bleeding.

   Tourniquets are commonly utilized by medical professionals, including paramedics, emergency room staff, and military personnel, as part of first aid protocols for severe bleeding. Additionally, tourniquets are sometimes employed during surgical procedures to minimize blood loss, particularly when operating in areas with abundant blood supply.

   While effective in instances of life-threatening bleeding, tourniquets can have potential risks if applied excessively or improperly, as they may cause tissue damage or reduce blood supply to an extent that poses harm. Thus, it is crucial to use them with caution and remove or loosen them promptly once appropriate medical interventions are available.

2. An instrument for arresting temporarily the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb; it consists of a broad band drawn tightly around the limb, with a pad over the artery, the pressure of which is increased by means of a screw.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. A bandage which may be tightened by a screw, used in surgery to produce pressure on a blood-vessel, so as to restrain bleeding.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for TOURNIQUET *

• tornique 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for TOURNIQUET

• turniquet
• turniquit
• tourniquit
• tournaquet
• tourniquite
• toruniquet
• torniquet
• tourniqyet
• tuorniquet
• tournyquet
• Tourniquate

Etymology of TOURNIQUET

The word "tourniquet" originated from the French word "tourniquet", which itself comes from the verb "tourner" meaning "to turn" in French. The term "tourniquet" was first used in the early 18th century to describe a mechanical device that turns or twists to apply pressure and restrict blood flow. In medical practice, a tourniquet is used to stop bleeding from a limb by constricting the blood vessels. The word remains largely unchanged across different languages due to its French origins.

Similar spelling words for TOURNIQUET

• Torrence,
• Torrance.

Plural form of TOURNIQUET is TOURNIQUETS