mutilate
[ myoot-l-eyt ]
/ ˈmyut lˌeɪt /
verb (used with object), mu·ti·lat·ed, mu·ti·lat·ing.
to injure, disfigure, or make imperfect by removing or irreparably damaging parts: Vandals mutilated the painting.
to deprive (a person or animal) of a limb or other essential part.
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Nearby words
mutely, muteness, mutha, muti, muticous, mutilate, mutilating keratoderma, mutilation, mutineer, mutinous, mutiny
Origin of mutilate
1525–35; < Latin mutilātus (past participle of mutilāre to cut off, maim), equivalent to mutil(us) maimed, mutilated + -ātus -ate1
SYNONYMS FOR mutilate
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for mutilate
British Dictionary definitions for mutilate
mutilate
/ (ˈmjuːtɪˌleɪt) /
verb (tr)
to deprive of a limb, essential part, etc; maim; dismember
to mar, expurgate, or damage (a text, book, etc)
Derived Formsmutilation, nounmutilative, adjectivemutilator, noun
Word Origin for mutilate
C16: from Latin mutilāre to cut off; related to mutilus maimed
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for mutilate
mutilate
1530s, of things; 1560s, of persons; from Latin mutilatus, past participle of mutilare "to cut off, lop off, cut short; maim, mutilate," from mutilus "maimed" (see mutilation). Technically, to deprive of some principal part, especially by cutting off. Related: Mutilated; mutilating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper