mutilate

[myoot-l-eyt]

verb (used with object)

mutilated, mutilating 

1. to injure, disfigure, or make imperfect by removing or irreparably damaging parts.

   Vandals mutilated the painting.

   Synonyms: cripple, mar, damage

2. to deprive (a person or animal) of a limb or other essential part.

mutilate

/ ˈmjuːtɪˌleɪt /

verb

1. to deprive of a limb, essential part, etc; maim; dismember

2. to mar, expurgate, or damage (a text, book, etc)

Other Word Forms

• mutilation noun
• mutilative adjective
• mutilatory adjective
• mutilator noun
• self-mutilating adjective
• self-mutilation noun
• unmutilated adjective
• unmutilative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutilate¹

1525–35; from Latin mutilātus (past participle of mutilāre “to cut off, maim”), equivalent to mutil(us) “maimed, mutilated” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutilate¹

C16: from Latin mutilāre to cut off; related to mutilus maimed

Synonym Study

See maim.

Related Words

• amputate 
• butcher 
• damage 
• deface 
• disfigure 
• dismember 
• distort 
• hack 
• injure 
• maim 
• mangle 
• ravage