infibulate

American  

[in-fib-yuh-leyt] / ɪnˈfɪb jəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

infibulated, infibulating

1. to stitch together the vulva of (a girl or woman), often after a clitoridectomy, in order to prevent intercourse.

2. to stitch the prepuce of (a male).

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infibulate British  

/ ɪnˈfɪbjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to enclose (esp the genitals, to prevent sexual intercourse) with a clasp

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Other Word Forms

• infibulation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of infibulate

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin infībulāt(us), past participle of infībulāre “to fasten the prepuce with a clasp,” equivalent to in- ² ( def. ) preposition and prefix + fībulāre “to knit together, join,” verbal derivative of fībula “pin, clasp”; in- ² ( def. ), fibula ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

infibulated infibulating

Along with my friend, Filsan Ali, I created a brochure for pregnant infibulated Somalian women.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 2, 2016

Heinsius considers Agamemnon cautious when he left Demodocus near Clytemnestra, as he remarks that Demodocus was infibulated.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

Celsus gives a detailed description of the manner of infibulating as practiced among the Romans.

From History of Circumcision from the Earliest Times to the Present Moral and Physical Reasons for its Performance by Remondino, Peter Charles