We have biceps, triceps and quadriceps. But we also have forceps. And the very tasty ceps themselves. I imagine there are others. What is interesting is that it looks as though the muscular -ceps are derived from a word meaning head which one would imagine would be the link to cep, the mushroom. But apparently the mushroom is derived from a word meaning trunk or stem. On that basis a mushroom, which has both a stem and a head, should be a cepcep.
I don't suppose there is any connection between a mushroom and a bathroom.
forceps
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David Myer
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Slava
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Re: forceps
Actually, the -ceps of bi- and for- are different: kaput- v kap-.
Forceps were originally used for capturing things out of the furnace.
I also just learned that there is a plural of forceps; forcipes, in case you ever need to speak of more than one.
Forceps were originally used for capturing things out of the furnace.
I also just learned that there is a plural of forceps; forcipes, in case you ever need to speak of more than one.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
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