English · Body & Health
stethoscope
/ˈsteθ.ə.skoʊp/
[/ˈsteθ.ə.skoʊp/]
doctor's listening device
Advancednoun
Definition
A medical instrument that doctors use to listen to sounds inside the body, such as the heart and lungs.
Example
The doctor placed the stethoscope on the boy's chest and asked him to breathe deeply.
The doctor placed the stethoscope on the boy's chest and asked him to breathe deeply.
Etymology
Coined in 1819 by René Laennec from Greek 'stethos' (chest) and 'skopein' (to look at, examine).
How & Where It’s Used
A symbol of the medical profession, used in clinical examinations.