Word origin
[1815–25; resp., with
-er1, of
litho(n)triptor instrument for crushing kidney stones, pseudo- L deriv. (cf.
captor,
raptor) of
litho(n)triptic, ult. based on the Gk phrase (
phármaka tôn en nephroîs)
líthōn thryptiká (drugs) breaking up stones (in the kidneys);
trip- by assoc. with Gk
tri᷇bein to rub, knead, pound (v. adj.
trīptós)
]