amputate

(ampyo̵̅o̅ tāt′, -pyə-)

transitive verb, intransitive verb amputated, amputating

to cut off (an arm, leg, etc.), esp. by surgery

Origin: < L amputatus, pp. of amputare < am-, for ambi-, ambi- + putare, to trim, prune < IE *putos, part. form of base *peu-, to strike > pave

Related Forms:

See amputate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb am·pu·tat·ed, am·pu·tat·ing, am·pu·tates
To cut off (a projecting body part), especially by surgery.

Origin:

Origin: Latin amputāre, amputāt-, to cut around

Origin: : am-, ambi-, around; see ambi-

Origin: + putāre, to cut; see pau-2 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • amˌpu·taˈtion noun
  • amˈpu·taˌtor noun

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