Amputate

/ˈæmpjʊteɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To cut off a limb or part of the body, typically by surgical operation.

The doctors had to amputate his leg after the severe accident.

To remove or sever, especially in a way that is drastic or severe.

In the war, many soldiers had to amputate limbs to prevent the spread of infection.

To cut something away from a larger whole.

The gardener had to amputate the overgrown branches to shape the tree.

Latin 'amputare', from 'am-' meaning 'from' and 'putare' meaning 'to cut'.

cut off

to sever or remove something completely

lose a limb

to undergo amputation or to have a limb removed

rise from the ashes

to recover from a loss or setback, related to healing after amputation

amputation

The surgical removal of a limb.

limb

An arm or leg of a person or four-legged animal.

surgery

The branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of injury, disease, and deformity through operations.

To cut something out or off decisively.

They really amputated that project after seeing the numbers.

To remove something from consideration.

He just amputated the idea after hearing the feedback.