Eviscerated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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eviscerated

[ษชหˆvษชsษ™หŒreษชtษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

medical term

Eviscerated refers to a state in which the internal organs have been removed or dislodged from their usual position in a living being, particularly in a surgical context. This term can also describe the removal of organs from carcasses during dissection.

Synonyms

disemboweled, emptied, gutted.

Examples of usage

  • The eviscerated animal was no longer suitable for consumption.
  • During the surgery, the surgeon accidentally eviscerated the patient.
  • Eviscerated specimens are often used for anatomical studies.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative use

To eviscerate can also mean to remove the essential parts of something, often used metaphorically when discussing a critique or analysis that strips away the core elements of a concept or argument.

Synonyms

devastated, dismantled, obliterated.

Examples of usage

  • The criticism eviscerated his argument.
  • The new policy has eviscerated the core values of the organization.
  • Reviewers eviscerated the film for its lack of meaningful dialogue.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Usage

  • The term was initially used in veterinary contexts before being adopted in broader medical and literary uses.
  • In ancient Rome, evisceration was sometimes part of a sacrificial rite, illustrating its historical significance.

Literature

  • The word often appears in Gothic literature to describe violence and horror, enhancing the emotional weight of the narrative.
  • Famous authors use it to convey gruesome imagery, helping to establish atmosphere and mood in stories.

Science

  • In biology, evisceration refers to the removal of internal organs for study or preservation, particularly in dissection of animals.
  • Certain marine animals, like sea cucumbers, can eviscerate their organs as a defense mechanism, demonstrating survival adaptation.

Pop Culture

  • The term has been employed in horror films and video games to evoke shock, often used to describe dramatic violence.
  • Notable films use graphic depictions of evisceration to heighten suspense or illustrate the stakes of conflict between characters.

Origin of 'eviscerated'

Main points about word origin

  • Derived from the Latin word 'eviscerare', meaning 'to disembowel' or 'to remove the entrails'.
  • The prefix 'ex-' means 'out of' while 'viscera' refers to internal organs, indicating a literal removal of innards.

The term 'eviscerate' traces its roots to the Latin word 'eviscerare', which means 'to disembowel'. In its original form, it combines the prefix 'ex-' (meaning 'out of') with 'viscera' (meaning 'internal organs'). This term was historically used in both surgical contexts and in descriptions of animal processing. Over time, its usage has broadened, allowing for figurative applications in critique and analysis. The word was first adopted into English in the early 17th century, with its medical connotations becoming prominent as advancements in surgery and anatomy developed. In modern usage, while retaining its original meaning in surgical settings, it has also evolved to describe the act of tearing apart or critically damaging the essence of ideas, arguments, and artifacts in various intellectual debates.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,032 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.