perform surgery; start with; execute by beheading
Meanings
3 senses · 8 examplesverb
to perform surgery; to operate (on a patient)
The most common modern usage. Often used with specific body parts or conditions.
The doctor decided to operate on him tomorrow.
His heart disease requires surgery.
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This operation was very successful.
verb
to start with; to make an example of; to tackle first
Often used in management, discipline, or reform contexts. Implies taking action against a specific target first to serve as a warning to others.
To rectify discipline, the leadership decided to start with the phenomenon of being late.
This reform starts first with government departments.
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The manager said he would make an example of the least efficient team.
verb
to execute by beheading; to decapitate
archaicPrimarily found in classical or early vernacular literature. Rarely used in modern contexts except historically or in set phrases like 开刀问斩.
The prisoner will be executed by beheading tomorrow.
In ancient times, those who committed serious crimes would be executed by beheading.