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

Other 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 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) /

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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