To pull or tear away forcibly; to separate or remove suddenly and violently.
From Latin 'avellere' (to pull away), composed of 'a-' (away) plus 'vellere' (to pull or pluck). The word entered English through medical and anatomical terminology.
Doctors use 'avulse' to describe traumatic injuries where something gets ripped away—an avulsed tooth, an avulsed fingernail. It's blunt and clinical, which is fitting because the injury is usually dramatic and painful.
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