amputate
UK: /ˈæmpjʊteɪt/ | US: /ˈæmpjəteɪt/
vt. to surgically remove a limb or part of a limb
vt. (figuratively) to cut off or remove something as if by surgery
amputate = am<around> + put<clean, prune> + ate<verb suffix>
- am<around>: From Latin amb- (around), indicating action performed around or about something.
- put<clean, prune>: From Latin putare (to prune, trim, or cleanse), originally used in horticulture and later extended to surgical contexts.
- ate<verb suffix>: A common Latin-derived suffix forming verbs.
Etymology Origin:
The word amputate traces back to Latin amputare, combining amb- (around) and putare (to prune). Initially, it described trimming plants or trees, but by the 17th century, it evolved to describe surgical removal of limbs—metaphorically extending the idea of "cutting cleanly around" a body part. This reflects how medical terminology often borrows from everyday actions (e.g., pruning) to describe precise procedures.
The surgeon had to amputate the patient’s leg to prevent the infection from spreading.
In severe frostbite cases, doctors may need to amputate fingers or toes.
The gardener amputated the damaged branches to save the tree.
The company decided to amputate its failing division to focus on profitable ventures.
Historically, battlefield injuries often required soldiers to amputate limbs without anesthesia.