circumcision

[ sur-kuh m-sizh-uh n ]
/ ˌsɜr kəmˈsɪʒ ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR circumcision ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act, instance, or the rite of circumcising.
clitoridectomy.
spiritual purification.
(initial capital letter) a church festival in honor of the circumcision of Jesus, observed on January 1.

Origin of circumcision

1125–75; Middle English < Late Latin circumcīsiōn- (stem of circumcīsiō), equivalent to Latin circumcīs(us) (see circumcise) + -iōn- -ion

Words nearby circumcision

circumbasal, circumbendibus, circumcenter, circumcircle, circumcise, circumcision, circumcolumnar, circumduction, circumference, circumferential, circumferential fibrocartilage

Words related to circumcision

baptism, initiation

Example sentences from the Web for circumcision

British Dictionary definitions for circumcision

circumcision
/ (ˌsɜːkəmˈsɪʒən) /

noun

  1. surgical removal of the foreskin of males
  2. surgical incision into the skin covering the clitoris in females
  3. removal of the clitoris
the act of circumcision, performed as a religious rite by Jews and Muslims
RC Church the festival celebrated on Jan 1 in commemoration of the circumcision of Jesus

Medical definitions for circumcision

circumcision
[ sûr′kəm-sĭzh′ən ]

n.

The surgical removal of part or all of the prepuce. peritomy
The cutting around an anatomical part.

Cultural definitions for circumcision

circumcision
[ (sur-kuhm-sizh-uhn) ]

The surgical removal of the skin that covers the tip of the penis, usually performed soon after birth. Although circumcision is common in the United States, the procedure is no longer widely recommended as a medical necessity by physicians.

notes for circumcision

Circumcision is performed as a religious ceremony by Jews (see also Jews) and Muslims.