You searched for: “trepanning
trepan (verb), trepans; trepanned; trepanning
1. To trap, to trick, or to ensnare someone or something: Susan tried to trepan her brother into giving her $10 for a book instead of the actual price of $5!
2. Etymology: from Greek trypanon and Latin trepanum, an archaic term that literally meant, "a borer" which was a surgical intervention in which a hole was drilled or scraped into the human skull, exposing the thick membrane made of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to treat health problems related to intracranial diseases or to release pressured blood buildup from an injury.

Supposedly, in ancient times, holes were drilled into people who were behaving in what was considered an abnormal way in order to let out what was believed were evil spirits.

To trick or to swindle.
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This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group T (page 6)