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Dismembering: meaning, definitions and examples

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dismembering

 

[ dɪsˈmɛm.bər.ɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

graphic description

Dismembering refers to the act of cutting off the limbs of a person or animal. It is often associated with violent or gruesome contexts, such as in crime stories or horror films. The term can evoke strong emotional reactions and is considered a serious crime when applied to humans. In medical contexts, it might refer to surgical procedures that involve the removal of limbs for health reasons, albeit in a much less graphic manner.

Synonyms

detach, divide, mutilate

Examples of usage

  • The detective found evidence suggesting dismembering in the crime scene.
  • The horror movie featured a chilling scene of dismembering.
  • He had to learn the proper technique for dismembering in the context of veterinary surgery.

Translations

Translations of the word "dismembering" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desmembramento

🇮🇳 बाँधना

🇩🇪 Zerteilung

🇮🇩 memotong

🇺🇦 розчленування

🇵🇱 rozczłonkowanie

🇯🇵 切断

🇫🇷 dépeçage

🇪🇸 desmembramiento

🇹🇷 parçalama

🇰🇷 절단

🇸🇦 تشريح

🇨🇿 rozčlenění

🇸🇰 rozčlenenie

🇨🇳 肢解

🇸🇮 razčlenitev

🇮🇸 hlutaskipting

🇰🇿 бөлу

🇬🇪 გახლეჩვა

🇦🇿 parçalama

🇲🇽 desmembramiento

Etymology

The word 'dismembering' originates from the prefix 'dis-', meaning 'apart' or 'asunder', combined with the word 'member', which is derived from the Latin 'membrum', referring to a limb or part of the body. The term has evolved over centuries, primarily in a graphic context. Its use has often been related to discussions of violence, particularly in legal and criminological discussions. The emergence of the term highlighted societal concerns regarding brutality and the extreme actions individuals can commit. Dismemberment has been a subject in literature and folklore, used to instill fear or convey the severity of an action. Today, the word encompasses both the literal act of limb removal and metaphorical interpretations in various fields, including surgery, where the imagery remains stark.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,939 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.