infibulation

noun

in·​fib·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌfi-byə-ˈlā-shən 

: extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

Examples of infibulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like many in Sudan, Ms. Ali was subjected to an extreme form of FGM known as infibulation, which involves the cutting and repositioning of the labia, sometimes through stitching, to narrow the vaginal opening. —Samy Magdy and Mariam Fam, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 July 2020

Data also suggest Somalia families have switched from infibulation to less severe forms of the ritual. —Fox News, 20 May 2020

The cutting ranges from a clitoridectomy, partial to total removal of the clitoris, to infibulation, removal of all the external genitalia. —Kristina Arriaga, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2017

Since 2014 though,the most severe form of infibulation has been illegal in the Puntland region - thanks to a Presidential decree. —Hawa Aden Mohamed For Cnn, CNN, 5 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin infibulare to fasten the labia majora or prepuce with stitches or a clasp, from in- + fibula clasp, fibula

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

infibulation

noun

in·​fib·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌfib-yə-ˈlā-shən 

: an act or practice of fastening by ring, clasp, or stitches the labia majora in girls and the foreskin in boys in order to prevent sexual intercourse

especially : extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

infibulate

-ˈfib-yə-ˌlāt 

transitive verb

infibulated; infibulating