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Lacerations: meaning, definitions and examples

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lacerations

 

[ ˌlæsəˈreɪʃənz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical injury

Lacerations are cuts or tears in the skin or flesh caused by a sharp object or forceful impact. They can vary in severity from minor surface cuts to deep tears that may involve underlying tissues. Proper treatment is essential to prevent infection and promote healing.

Synonyms

cuts, gashes, slashes, wounds.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor treated her lacerations with stitches.
  • He suffered several lacerations after falling on broken glass.
  • The athlete received medical attention for his lacerations during the game.

Etymology

The term 'laceration' derives from the Latin word 'laceratio', which means 'to tear or tear apart'. It is formed from the root 'lacerare', meaning 'to rend' or 'to tear'. The use of the word in English dates back to the late 15th century, when it was adopted to describe wounds and injuries characterized by irregular, jagged openings in the skin. Initially, the term was used mostly in medical contexts but gradually became more common in everyday language as discussions around injuries and trauma increased. Today, 'laceration' is widely used in both medical terminology and general conversation to refer to various types of cuts and injuries.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,920, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.