eviscerate

[ih-vis-uh-reyt, ih-vis-er-it, -uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

eviscerated, eviscerating 

1. to remove the entrails from; disembowel.

   to eviscerate a chicken.

2. to deprive of vital or essential parts.

   The censors eviscerated the book to make it inoffensive to the leaders of the party.

3. Surgery.,  to remove the contents of (a body organ).

eviscerate

/ ɪˈvɪsəˌreɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to remove the internal organs of; disembowel

2. (tr) to deprive of meaning or significance

3. (tr) surgery to remove the contents of (the eyeball or other organ)

4. (intr) surgery (of the viscera) to protrude through a weakened abdominal incision after an operation

adjective

1. having been disembowelled

Other Word Forms

• eviscerator noun
• evisceration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of eviscerate¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin ēviscerātus, past participle of ēviscerāre “to deprive of entrails, tear to pieces,” equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + viscer(a) viscera + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of eviscerate¹

C17: from Latin ēviscerāre to disembowel, from viscera entrails

Example Sentences

Field office and call center staff also have been eviscerated.

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Among the ironies: He got nothing of value on the cellphone that so enraged the sheriff, and prosecutors never called him to testify at trial, knowing the defense was likely to eviscerate him.

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That document was roundly eviscerated by hordes of scientists who were aghast at the distortions and misinterpretations by Kennedy.

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When Bennet Tarlow, an influential Orange County developer, is found eviscerated by a mountain lion in Caspers Wilderness Park, homicide detective Lew Gale — a former Marine sniper — is sent to track and kill the predator.

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Many responded so negatively that Hilty turned off her comments for a while as hundreds made posts across social media eviscerating or satirizing the series.

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