circumcise

[ sur-kuh m-sahyz ]
/ ˈsɜr kəmˌsaɪz /

verb (used with object), cir·cum·cised, cir·cum·cis·ing.

to remove the prepuce of (a male), especially as a religious rite.
to remove the clitoris, prepuce, or labia of (a female).
to purify spiritually.

Origin of circumcise

1200–50; Middle English circumcisen < Latin circumcīsus (past participle of circumcīdere to cut around), equivalent to circum- circum- + -cīsus ( -cīd- cut + -tus past participle suffix; see -cide)

OTHER WORDS FROM circumcise

cir·cum·cis·er, noun

Words nearby circumcise

circumanal gland, circumbasal, circumbendibus, circumcenter, circumcircle, circumcise, circumcision, circumcolumnar, circumduction, circumference, circumferential

Example sentences from the Web for circumcise

British Dictionary definitions for circumcise

circumcise
/ (ˈsɜːkəmˌsaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to remove the foreskin of (a male)
to incise surgically the skin over the clitoris of (a female)
to remove the clitoris of (a female)
to perform the religious rite of circumcision on (someone)

Derived forms of circumcise

circumciser, noun

Word Origin for circumcise

C13: from Latin circumcīdere, from circum- + caedere to cut

Medical definitions for circumcise

circumcise
[ sûr′kəm-sīz′ ]

v.

To perform a circumcision.