(n) a surgical procedure usually performed under local anesthesia in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrial lining of the uterus is scraped with a curet; performed to obtain tissue samples or to stop prolonged bleeding or to remove small tumors or to remove fragments of placenta after childbirth or as a method of abortion, Syn. dilatation and curettage, D and C
(n) a method of induced abortion; prior to the 14th week of gestation the embryo and placenta are removed by applying suction to the dilated cervix, Syn. vacuum aspiration
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)
n. surgery to remove tissue or growths from a bodily cavity (as the uterus) by scraping with a curette; the act of scraping with a curette. Syn. -- curettement. [ WordNet 1.5 ]