from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lithotripsy \Lith"o*trip`sy\ (l[i^]th"[-o]*tr[i^]p`s[y^]), n.
[Litho- + Gr. tri`bein to rub, grind: cf. F. lithotripsie.]
(Surg.)
The operation of crushing a stone in the bladder or urethra
to reduce it to particles small enough to be voided;
lithotrity. It may be performed with an instrument called
lithotriptor or lithotrite (also called a lithoclast); or,
more recently, may be accomplished by devices using
ultrasonic waves to fragment the stones.
[1913 Webster]