incision

Etymology

From Middle English inscicioun, from Middle French incision, from Late Latin incisiō from the verb incidō (“I cut into”) + action noun suffix -iō.

noun

1. A cut, especially one made by a scalpel or similar medical tool in the context of surgical operation; the scar resulting from such a cut.
   In the midst of the men a black upright stove sends out its heat. On the glowing holes at the top Ya‘qub Artin has carefully placed some chestnuts, each with a neat incision in its side. 1999, Ahdaf Soueif, chapter 28, in The Map of Love, London: Bloomsbury, published 2000, page 470
2. The act of cutting into a substance.
   The parte of Euacuation by lettyng of blud, is incision or cuttyng of the vayne, wherby the bloud, whiche is cause of syckenes or grefe to the hole body, or any particular part therof, doth most aptly passe. 1539, Thomas Elyot, editor, The Castel of Helthe, London, Book 3, Chapter 6
   Never considering […] that these miseries of the people are still his own handy work, having smitt’n them like a forked Arrow so sore into the Kingdoms side, as not to be drawn out and cur’d without the incision of more flesh. 1649, John Milton, Eikonoklastes, London, pages 94–95
   Mnesarchus, early as a sculptor known, From nice incision of the costly stone, 1800, William Hayley, An Essay on Sculpture, London: T. Cadell Junior and W. Davies, Epistle 4, page 89
   Slowly, as meticulously as if engaged upon a surgical incision, Mr Nox opened his mail. 1964, William Trevor, chapter 21, in The Old Boys, Penguin, published 2014
3. (obsolete) Separation or solution of viscid matter by medicines.
4. (soccer) A cut-back
   Riyad Mahrez also dragged wide after a De Bruyne incision. 7 March 2021, David Hytner, “Manchester United catch City cold as Fernandes and Shaw end winning run”, in The Guardian