cupping — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The operation of drawing blood to or from the surface of the person by forming a partial vacuum over the spot.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Narrower terms

   dry cuppingwet cupping

2. A similar operation for drawing pus from an abscess.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. Fire cupping, a traditional therapeutic treatment called in which heated cupping glasses are applied to the skin, supposedly to draw blood towards the surface.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. The taking of a small amount of a beverage such as tea or coffee into the mouth in order to taste it; a session where this is done.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. The act of forming something into a cup shape.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   the cupping of one's hands

Noun

1. a treatment in which evacuated cups are applied to the skin to draw blood through the surface

   Broader terms

   bloodletting