autotomy

[ aw-tot-uh-mee ]

/ ɔˈtɒt ə mi /

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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.

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Origin of autotomy

First recorded in 1895–1900; auto-¹ + -tomy

OTHER WORDS FROM autotomy

au·to·tom·ic

[aw-tuh-tom-ik], /ˌɔ təˈtɒm ɪk/, au·tot·o·mous, adjective

Words nearby autotomy

autostrada, autosuggestion, autotelic, autotimer, autotomize, autotomy, autotopagnosia, autotoxaemia, autotoxemia, autotoxicosis, autotoxin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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 Thomson
Autotomy 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) /

noun plural -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

Medical definitions for autotomy

autotomy

[ ô-tŏt′ə-mē ]

The spontaneous casting off of a body part, especially of an invertebrate, when injured or under attack.