laceration
AmericanOther Word Forms
- self-laceration noun
Etymology
Origin of laceration
First recorded in 1590–1600, laceration is from the Latin word lacerātiōn- (stem of lacerātiō ). See lacerate, -ion
Explanation
A laceration is a tear, cut, or gash. Your heart can also get a more figurative laceration when you see your love kissing another. Either way, ouch. A laceration implies that there is a tearing or jaggedness to the wound. A surgeon would not make a laceration on a patient, but an incision. Lacerations are reserved for things like barbed wire, errant nails, and fickle loves.
Vocabulary lists containing laceration
All American Boys
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The Kite Runner
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
An agent who was inside one of the vehicles suffered a hand laceration, according to the complaint filed against Reyna.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 2025
Gerolsteiner Sparkling Water has been recalled "due to laceration hazard," as announced in a recall last week, which applies to over 60,000 bottles.
From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025
Court coordinator Andy Flack said Ms Hempstead was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment after being found by police with a "laceration to her upper limb" on 29 July.
From BBC • Aug. 15, 2024
Mr Tran, who was sitting next to his friend one row behind the section which blew out, said he suffered injuries including a laceration to his leg.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2024
Upon discovering that Bertha Palmer was the wife of the hotel’s owner, she inflicted a social laceration that Chicago would never forget or forgive.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.