Circumcision

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪʒən

Origin

From Latin circumcīsiō, from circumcīdō ("cut around"), from circum ("about, around; through") + caedō ("cut, hew").

Full definition of circumcision

Noun

1. The act of excising or amputating the prepuce (the foreskin on penises, the clitoral hood on clitorises)
2. The act of excising tissue from the vulva of the female.

Synonyms

• circ informal
• female genital mutilation

Related terms

• circumcise, circumcize
• male circumcision
• female circumcision