vivisection

[ viv-uh-sek-shuhn ]

noun

1. the action of cutting into or dissecting a living body.
2. the practice of subjecting living animals to cutting operations, especially in order to advance physiological and pathological knowledge.

vivisection

/ ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkʃən /

noun

1. the act or practice of performing experiments on living animals, involving cutting into or dissecting the body

vivisection

/ vĭv′ĭ-sĕk′shən /

1. The practice of examining internal organs and tissues by cutting into or dissecting a living animal, especially for the purpose of scientific research.

vivisection

1. The cutting up or dissection of animals, including anesthetized live animals, in scientific research. Vivisection is also a general term for the use of animals as subjects in laboratory experiments, especially in the development of new medical techniques and drugs.

Notes

Vivisection, as well as the general use of animals in medical research, is a target of protest by animal rights advocates.

Derived Forms

• ˌviviˈsectionally, adverb
• ˌviviˈsectional, adjective

Other Words From

• vivi·section·al adjective
• vivi·section·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivisection¹

First recorded in 1700–10; vivi- + section

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivisection¹

C18: from vivi-, from Latin vīvus living + section , as in dissection

Example Sentences

The next subject that has filled our chat lately has been the Blue Book on Vivisection, which you would like to look into.

From Project Gutenberg

I used to practice vivisection on her, taking her apart and putting her together in new ways.

From Project Gutenberg

Miss Lind-Af-Hageby is known as the most brilliant, charming, and passionate opponent of the vivisection of animals.

From Project Gutenberg

From first to last, you are purposely left in ignorance of the hideous secrets of Vivisection.

From Project Gutenberg

Vivisection, or the cutting into living animals for scientific purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• postmortem