avulsion

American  

[uh-vuhl-shuhn] / əˈvʌl ʃən /

noun

1. a tearing away.

2. 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.

3. a part torn off.

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avulsion British  

/ əˈvʌlʃən /

noun

1. a forcible tearing away or separation of a bodily structure or part, either as the result of injury or as an intentional surgical procedure

2. law the sudden removal of soil from one person's land to that of another, as by flooding

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Etymology

Origin of avulsion

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

Example Sentences

Receiver Demarcus Robinson, who caught a touchdown pass, suffered a hand avulsion, but with a protective pad he should be ready to play against the Bills, McVay said.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2024

In 2008, an avulsion of the Kosi River, a tributary of the Ganges, occurred after heavy monsoon rains—not an earthquake.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 17, 2024

Kotsay said the blister was unrelated to the fingernail avulsion.

From Washington Times • Apr. 18, 2023

Paul is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because of a right thumb avulsion fracture.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2022

If the nails are affected, avulsion will probably be needed before the disease can be reached.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various