Earpick

/ˈɪrpɪk/ noun

Definition

A small pointed tool used to clean wax and debris from inside the ear, similar to a modern ear curette.

Etymology

From 'ear' plus 'pick,' describing an instrument that picks or removes material from the ear. Medieval and ancient cultures had versions of this tool made from bone, wood, or metal.

Kelly Says

Ear picks have existed for thousands of years across cultures—Roman, Chinese, and Japanese versions appear in archaeological digs—showing that humans have always been bothered by earwax, making this one of history's oldest grooming tools.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.