amputate

[am-pyoo-teyt]

verb (used with object)

amputated, amputating 

1. to cut off (all or part of a limb or digit of the body), as by surgery.

2. to prune, lop off, or remove.

   Because of space limitations the editor amputated the last two paragraphs of the news report.

3. Obsolete.,  to prune, as branches of trees.

amputate

/ ˈæmpjʊˌteɪt /

verb

1. surgery to remove (all or part of a limb, esp an arm or leg)

Other Word Forms

• amputation noun
• amputative adjective
• amputator noun
• nonamputation noun
• postamputation adjective
• self-amputation noun
• unamputated adjective
• unamputative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amputate¹

1630–40; < Latin amputātus pruned, trimmed (past participle of amputāre ), equivalent to am ( bi ) around ( ambi- ) + put- trim + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of amputate¹

C17: from Latin amputāre, from am- around + putāre to trim, prune

Example Sentences

The Taliban also introduced public executions for convicted murderers and punished thieves by amputating a hand.

Read more on BBC

The allegations say he then "dismembered" Mr Wright and "disarticulated" his body - which means amputating limbs at the joints.

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Mr Parry had a leg amputated because of his injuries and Tregonning was sentenced to three years and four months after admitting serious injury by dangerous driving.

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One student, from Wolverhampton, had her lower legs and parts of her fingers amputated after being struck down with it a week after starting university.

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Alexander had his leg amputated, underwent three surgeries but still died on Tuesday.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cut away www.thesaurus.com
• cut off 
• sever