mutilation
UK: ˌmjuːtɪˈleɪʃən | US: ˌmjuːtɪˈleɪʃən
n. the act of severely damaging or disfiguring a body or object, often by cutting or tearing
n. (figuratively) the act of destroying or ruining something essential
mutilation = mutil<maim> + ation<noun suffix>
- mutil (from Latin mutilare, meaning "to cut off, maim")
- ation (noun-forming suffix indicating an action or process)
Etymology Origin:
The word "mutilation" traces back to the Latin mutilare, meaning "to cut off or maim," derived from mutilus ("maimed"). The term originally described physical disfigurement, particularly the loss of limbs or body parts. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe the severe damage or destruction of abstract concepts (e.g., "mutilation of the truth"). The suffix -ation standardizes the noun form, emphasizing the act or result of mutilating.
The victim suffered severe mutilation in the accident.
The ancient statue showed signs of deliberate mutilation.
Censorship can lead to the mutilation of artistic expression.
The documents were recovered, but their mutilation made them hard to read.
Animal rights activists protested against the mutilation of livestock.