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

• evisceration noun
• eviscerator 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

With the help of Elon Musk and DOGE, the largest funding agency for humanitarian and development aid worldwide was eviscerated.

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Our adrenaline reinvigorates us, the fear of being eviscerated keeping us alert and aware.

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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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