avulsion Hear it!

avulsion definition

avul·sion (ə vuls̸hən)

noun

  1. a separation by force
  2. Med. the tearing away of a structure or part by surgical traction or by accident
  3. a structure, part, etc. separated by force
  4. the sudden removal of a person's land by the action of water, as by flood or change in the course of a stream, without a resulting loss of ownership

Etymology: L avulsio < a-, from + pp. of vellere, to pull: see revulsion

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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