éclisser

Senses

1. 1.

   to splint

   to immobilize a limb or bone using a splint (éclisse)

2. 2.

   to split; to skid

   to slide sideways or lose grip on a surface (Quebec/informal usage)

Examples

• "Le médecin a éclissé le bras cassé du patient."

  The doctor splinted the patient's broken arm.

• "La voiture a éclissé sur le verglas."

  The car skidded on the ice.

• "Il faut éclisser cette fracture avant de bouger le patient."

  The fracture must be splinted before moving the patient.

Usage

The primary sense (medical: to splint) is standard French. The secondary sense (to skid/slide) is more colloquial and regional, particularly in Quebec French. The noun éclisse (wooden splint) is more commonly used than the verb in medical contexts.