circumcise

American  

[sur-kuhm-sahyz] / ˈsɜr kəmˌsaɪz /

verb (used with object)

circumcised, circumcising

1. to remove the prepuce of (a male), especially as a religious rite.

2. to remove the clitoris, prepuce, or labia of (a female).

3. to purify spiritually.

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circumcise British  

/ ˈsɜːkəmˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to remove the foreskin of (a male)

2. to incise surgically the skin over the clitoris of (a female)

3. to remove the clitoris of (a female)

4. to perform the religious rite of circumcision on (someone)

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Other Word Forms

• circumciser noun

Etymology

Origin of circumcise

1200–50; Middle English circumcisen < Latin circumcīsus (past participle of circumcīdere to cut around), equivalent to circum- circum- + -cīsus ( -cīd- cut + -tus past participle suffix; -cide )

Example Sentences

“There’s two studies that show children who were circumcised early have double the rate of autism,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Specifically, he said, the study relied on a tiny sample of Muslim boys circumcised in hospitals rather than at home -- the dominant cultural practice.

From Barron's

She’s opposed, for example, to having their son circumcised.

From Los Angeles Times

This was when piracy was at its peak and she had just given birth to a son, whom they wanted to circumcise.

From BBC

Somalia tops the list of countries where the practice, also known as female circumcision, is prevalent, with 99% of the female population between the ages of 15 and 49 having been circumcised.

From Seattle Times