The surgical removal of an arm, leg, finger, or other body part, usually due to disease, injury, or infection.
From Latin 'amputare' (to cut off), combining 'ambi-' (around) and 'putare' (to prune or cut). Originally used for pruning trees before applying to human surgery.
Modern prosthetics and neural interfaces are beginning to restore sensation and control to amputated limbs—scientists are literally reconnecting severed nerves to artificial limbs, making amputation less permanent than ever.
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