clitoridectomy

American  

[klit-er-i-dek-tuh-mee] / ˌklɪt ər ɪˈdɛk tə mi /

noun

clitoridectomies plural

1. the excision of the clitoris, usually performed as part of female initiation rites, mainly among certain African peoples, but also sometimes used in various societies to curb sexual desire; female circumcision.

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clitoridectomy British  

/ ˌklɪtərɪˈdɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical removal of the clitoris: a form of female circumcision, esp practised as a religious or ethnic rite

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• clitoridectomies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of clitoridectomy

First recorded in 1865–70; from Greek clitorid- (combining form of kleitorís clitoris ) + -ectomy