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

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

Related formsau·to·tom·ic

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

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

Examples from the Web for autotomy

Historical Examples of autotomy

Autotomy not only permits flight, but also defends the animal against the most adverse conditions.
The Human Side of Animals
Royal Dixon
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

British Dictionary definitions for autotomy

autotomy

noun plural -mies

the casting off by an animal of a part of its body, to facilitate escape when attacked

Derived Formsautotomic (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

autotomy in Medicine

autotomy

[ô-tŏt′ə-mē]

n.

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