mutilate

[myoot-l-eyt]

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.

Origin of mutilate

1525–35; < Latin mutilātus (past participle of mutilāre to cut off, maim), equivalent to mutil(us) maimed, mutilated + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsmu·ti·la·tion, nounmu·ti·la·tive, mu·ti·la·to·ry

[myoot-l-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ˈmyut l əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivemu·ti·la·tor, nounself-mu·ti·lat·ing, adjectiveself-mu·ti·la·tion, nounun·mu·ti·lat·ed, adjectiveun·mu·ti·la·tive, adjective

Synonyms for mutilate

1. damage, mar, cripple. 2. See maim.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for self-mutilation

Historical Examples of self-mutilation

Some species, too, have the peculiar habit of self-mutilation.
Elementary Zoology, Second Edition
Vernon L. Kellogg
This self-mutilation is believed to produce the desired result.
The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life
Emile Durkheim
XI, recounts Pomponio's self-mutilation in order to effect his escape.
Old Mission Stories of California
Charles Franklin Carter
There are some sacrifices which partake of the nature of self-mutilation.
Diana Tempest, Volume III (of 3)
Mary Cholmondeley
Obscure Greek cults practised similar disciplines even to the extent of self-mutilation.
A Short History of the World
H. G. Wells

British Dictionary definitions for self-mutilation

self-mutilation

noun

the act or an instance of mutilating oneself

mutilate

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for self-mutilation

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.