Forceps vs. Tongs

Forcepsnoun

An instrument used in surgery or medical procedures for grasping and holding objects, similar to tongs or pincers.

Forcepsnoun

A pair of pinchers, or tongs; an instrument for grasping, holding firmly, or exerting traction upon, bodies which it would be inconvenient or impracticable to seize with the fingers, especially one for delicate operations, as those of watchmakers, surgeons, accoucheurs, dentists, etc.

Forcepsnoun

The caudal forceps-shaped appendage of earwigs and some other insects. See Earwig.

Forcepsnoun

an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)

Forceps

Forceps (plural forceps or considered a plural noun without a singular, often a pair of forceps; the Latin plural forcipes is no longer recorded in most dictionaries) is a handheld, hinged instrument used for grasping and holding objects. Forceps are used when fingers are too large to grasp small objects or when many objects need to be held at one time while the hands are used to perform a task.

Tongsnoun

An instrument or tool used for picking things up without touching them with the hands or fingers, consisting of two slats or grips hinged at the end or in the middle, and sometimes including a spring to open the grips.

Tongsnoun

(by extension) A large scissors-like two-piece center-hinged forged-iron implement with oval-loop handles and with pointed tips turned inward (in the same plane as and perpendicular to the handles) to facilitate lifting and carrying a block of ice. Often called ice tongs.

Tongs

An instrument, usually of metal, consisting of two parts, or long shafts, jointed together at or near one end, or united by an elastic bow, used for handling things, especially hot coals or metals; - often called a pair of tongs.

Tongsnoun

any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below

Tongs

Tongs are a type of tool used to grip and lift objects instead of holding them directly with hands. There are many forms of tongs adapted to their specific use.