autotomy
[ aw-tot-uh-mee ]
noun,plural au·tot·o·mies.
Zoology.
separation of a body part.
self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage.
the performance of surgery upon oneself.
Origin of autotomy
1Other words from autotomy
- au·to·tom·ic [aw-tuh-tom-ik], /ˌɔ təˈtɒm ɪk/, au·tot·o·mous, adjective
Words Nearby autotomy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use autotomy in a sentence
Such is the adaptive device—more reflex than reflective—which is called self-mutilation or autotomy.
The Outline of Science, Vol. 1 (of 4) | J. Arthur Thomsonautotomy not only permits flight, but also defends the animal against the most adverse conditions.
The Human Side of Animals | Royal Dixon
British Dictionary definitions for autotomy
autotomy
/ (ɔːˈtɒtəmɪ) /
nounplural -mies
the casting off by an animal of a part of its body, to facilitate escape when attacked
Derived forms of autotomy
- autotomic (ˌɔːtəˈtɒmɪk), adjective
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
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