Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913 Scalpel /(skăl"pĕl)/ · Scal·pel · IPA /ˈskælpəl/ 01 n. A small knife with a thin, keen blade, -- used by surgeons, and in dissecting. 1. A small knife with a thin, keen blade, -- used by surgeons, and in dissecting.(Surg.)