means A doctor trained to treat injuries, diseases, and deformities by physically operating on the body, usually with instruments.

from From Greek 'kheirourgos,' literally 'one who works with the hands' — 'kheir' (hand) plus 'ergon' (work). The word traveled into Latin as 'chirurgia,' then through Old French 'cirurgien,' losing its hard Greek edges along the way until English smoothed it into 'surgeon.' So buried in the name is the oldest truth of the trade: it's handwork, done on living flesh.