Exenterate

/ɛksˈɛntəreɪt/ verb

Definition

To surgically remove the internal organs from a body cavity, or historically, to disembowel.

Etymology

From Latin exenterare (to remove the intestines), from ex- (out) plus Greek enterike (intestines). The medical use emerged in the 20th century; the historical meaning referred to execution or violent disembowelment.

Kelly Says

The word contains enteron (intestines) directly from Greek, making modern surgical terms archaeological—they preserve the ancient doctors' way of naming body parts and what you do to them.

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