avulsion

[uh-vuhl-shuh n]

noun

a tearing away.
Law. the sudden removal of soil by change in a river's course or by a flood, from the land of one owner to that of another.
a part torn off.

Origin of avulsion

1615–25; < Latin āvulsiōn- (stem of āvulsiō), equivalent to āvuls(us) torn off (see avulse) + -iōn- -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for avulsion

Historical Examples of avulsion

By a quick movement of avulsion the tumour is then torn from its attachment.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)
Various
Avulsion of the tuberosity of the tibia occasionally occurs in youths, from violent contraction of the quadriceps—as in jumping.
Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities--Head--Neck. Sixth Edition.
Alexander Miles
Avulsion is usually not complete and only results in a larger iridectomy than was intended.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)
Various
The growth should not be cut through, as it is wiser to pluck it from its attachment by a quick movement of avulsion.
A System of Operative Surgery, Volume IV (of 4)
Various
If the nails are affected, avulsion will probably be needed before the disease can be reached.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for avulsion

avulsion

noun

a forcible tearing away or separation of a bodily structure or part, either as the result of injury or as an intentional surgical procedure
law the sudden removal of soil from one person's land to that of another, as by flooding

Word Origin for avulsion

C17: from Latin āvulsiō, from āvellere to pluck away, from vellere to pull, pluck

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

avulsion in Medicine

avulsion

[ə-vŭl′shən]

The forcible tearing away of a body part by trauma or surgery.