avulsion

[ uh-vuhl-shuhn ]

noun

1. a tearing away.
2. Law. the sudden removal of soil by change in a river's course or by a flood, from the land of one owner to that of another.
3. a part torn off.

avulsion

/ əˈvʌlʃən /

noun

1. a forcible tearing away or separation of a bodily structure or part, either as the result of injury or as an intentional surgical procedure
2. law the sudden removal of soil from one person's land to that of another, as by flooding

Word History and Origins

Origin of avulsion¹

1615–25; < Latin āvulsiōn- (stem of āvulsiō ), equivalent to āvuls ( us ) torn off ( avulse ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of avulsion¹

C17: from Latin āvulsiō, from āvellere to pluck away, from vellere to pull, pluck

Example Sentences

Making matters worse, he suffered an avulsion fracture in his right knee during that ninth game — an injury that ultimately sidelined him for nearly two months.

From FiveThirtyEight

By a quick movement of avulsion the tumour is then torn from its attachment.

From Project Gutenberg

Avulsion is usually not complete and only results in a larger iridectomy than was intended.

From Project Gutenberg

There still remained some hope that an "everlasting avulsion from Great Britain would be avoided."

From Project Gutenberg

What is this horrible avulsion, this impenetrable self-imprisonment, but the appalling state of despair?

From Project Gutenberg

The growth should not be cut through, as it is wiser to pluck it from its attachment by a quick movement of avulsion.

From Project Gutenberg