amputate

[ am-pyoo-teyt ]

/ ˈæm pyʊˌteɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR amputate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), am·pu·tat·ed, am·pu·tat·ing.

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

to prune, lop off, or remove: Because of space limitations the editor amputated the last two paragraphs of the news report.

Obsolete. to prune, as branches of trees.

Nearby words

ampullaceous, ampullar pregnancy, ampullary crest, ampullitis, ampullula, amputate, amputation, amputation in continuity, amputation neuroma, amputee, ampycus

Origin of amputate

1630–40; < Latin amputātus pruned, trimmed (past participle of amputāre), equivalent to am(bi) around (cf. ambi-) + put- trim + -ātus -ate¹

Related forms

am·pu·ta·tion, nounam·pu·ta·tive, adjectiveam·pu·ta·tor, nounnon·am·pu·ta·tion, noun

post·am·pu·ta·tion, adjectiveself-am·pu·ta·tion, nounun·am·pu·tat·ed, adjectiveun·am·pu·ta·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for amputate

As we may not destroy life, which belongs to God, we may not amputate a member to suppress any vital function.
The Ethics of Medical Homicide and Mutilation|Austin O'Malley
Mr Wylie, first surgeon to the Emperor, hastened to amputate the limb, which was most severely used.
Travels in France during the years 1814-1815|Archibald Alison
One foot dropped off upon his admission to the Hospital, and it was found necessary to amputate the other.
Norfolk Annals|Charles Mackie
They agreed at once that it was necessary to amputate it three inches higher up, Ralph winced when he heard the news.
One of the 28th|G. A. Henty

That winter my father's nephew shot himself by accident and it was necessary to amputate his leg.
Old Rail Fence Corners|Various

British Dictionary definitions for amputate

amputate

/ (ˈæmpjʊˌteɪt) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

amputation, nounamputator, noun

Word Origin for amputate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

amputate

verb (used with object), am·pu·tat·ed, am·pu·tat·ing.

Nearby words

Origin of amputate

Related forms

Examples from the Web for amputate

British Dictionary definitions for amputate

amputate

verb

Derived Forms

Word Origin for amputate

Medicine definitions for amputate

amputate

v.