amputation

noun

am·​pu·​ta·​tion ˌam-pyə-ˈtā-shən 

plural -s

1

a

: a cutting, pruning, or lopping off

bare thorny stumps and slanting marks of amputation

—Kathleen Fruman

a deliberate amputation of freedom

—Time

b

: excision (as of letters, words, or sentences) from writing

confusion follows too drastic an amputation

—Creighton Peet

2

: an act, process, or instance of amputating a body part whether occurring immediately after an injury or delayed until inflammation and suppuration are present

called also respectively primary amputation, secondary amputation

see congenital amputation, spontaneous amputation

Word History

Etymology

Latin amputation-, amputatio, from amputatus, + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Rhymes for amputation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation