Ampulate

/ˈæmpjʊleɪt/ verb

Definition

To remove or cut off a limb or part of the body from a living organism; to amputate.

Etymology

From Latin amputatus, past participle of amputare (am- 'about' + putare 'to prune, cut'). This is an archaic or rare variant of 'amputate.'

Kelly Says

Medieval surgeons used 'ampulate' before modern surgeons shortened it to 'amputate'—watching English gradually trim its own vocabulary is like seeing language evolve in real time.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.