# trepanation

> English word · Noun · IPA /tɹɛpəˈneɪʃən/

## Definitions
1. The practice of drilling a hole in the skull as a physical, mental, or spiritual treatment.

## Etymology
From New Latin trepanatio, formed from French trépan (“a drill”), itself from Latin trepanum, ultimately from Ancient Greek τρύπανον (trúpanon, “an auger, a drill”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/trepanation