Mutilation: meaning, definitions and examples

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mutilation

[ˌmjuː.tɪˈleɪ.ʃən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

physical harm

The action of inflicting serious damage on someone's body, often resulting in permanent disfigurement or impairment.

Synonyms

disfigurement, injury, maiming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mutilation	Used in severe situations where a body part is severely damaged or removed, often intentionally. It usually carries a strong negative connotation. The torture resulted in the mutilation of several prisoners The ancient artifact was found with signs of intentional mutilation
disfigurement	Describes a situation where someone’s appearance is altered, usually in an unattractive way, often due to injury, disease, or surgery. It is typically used when focusing on the change in looks. She feared disfigurement after the accident left her face scarred The disease caused severe facial disfigurement
maiming	Implies severe and often permanent damage to a body part, causing it to lose its function. It typically involves a violent or harmful act. The soldiers were maimed by landmines The brutal attack left him maimed for life
injury	A general term for any kind of physical harm or damage to the body. It can range from minor to severe and doesn’t necessarily imply permanency. He suffered a minor injury while playing soccer The car crash led to multiple serious injuries

Examples of usage

He suffered mutilation to his face in the accident.
The mutilation of the victim's body was a gruesome sight.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

destroying or damaging

The act of damaging or destroying something to the point of rendering it imperfect or incomplete.

Synonyms

damage, deface, ruin.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
mutilation	This word is often used to describe severe and intentional acts of damage, especially to a body, whether human or animal. It can also be used metaphorically for severe destruction of inanimate objects. It has a very strong negative connotation. The victim suffered mutilation at the hands of the attackers. The ancient statue showed signs of severe mutilation.
damage	This term is used to describe harm or destruction to an object, property, or even a reputation. It can be both physical and metaphorical and does not necessarily imply intent. The severity can vary from minor to significant. The storm caused extensive damage to the roof. His careless words damaged their friendship.
ruin	This word is appropriate when describing something that has been completely destroyed or spoiled, often beyond repair. It can also refer to causing someone to lose all their money or status. The context can be both physical and abstract. The ancient castle now lies in ruins. The scandal ruined his political career.
deface	Use this word when referring to the intentional damaging or disfiguring of the surface or appearance of something, especially something public or valuable like a monument, wall, or property. It often has a legal implication. Vandals defaced the public library with graffiti. Someone defaced the painting by scratching it.

Examples of usage

The mutilation of the ancient sculpture enraged art historians.
The mutilation of the manuscript made it difficult to decipher.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The term comes from the Latin 'mutilare,' which means to reduce or cut off.
Throughout history, mutilation has been used as punishment in various cultures, often as a means of instilling fear.
Certain ancient practices sometimes involved mutilation as a form of sacrifice or a rite of passage.

Psychology

Research indicates that self-mutilation may occur in individuals as a way to cope with emotional pain or distress.
Psychological studies show that the act of harming oneself can sometimes provide a temporary sense of relief.
Therapeutic approaches often focus on teaching healthier coping mechanisms to replace self-harming behaviors.

Legal Context

In modern legal terms, mutilation is considered a form of assault or torture, and it can lead to severe penalties.
Laws in many countries protect against acts of mutilation, recognizing it as a violation of human rights.
The concept of bodily integrity has led to increased discussions on the ethics of procedures that involve potential mutilation.

Pop Culture

Mutilation is often depicted in horror movies and literature, symbolizing fear, loss, or the fragility of life.
Many songs and artworks explore themes of self-harm and the complex emotions that come with it.
The shock value of mutilation in art can draw attention to societal issues like mental health awareness.

Medical Understanding

In the medical field, Mutilation can refer to irreparable damage to body parts, especially in trauma cases.
Surviving severe mutilation can often lead to long-term psychological effects, including PTSD.
Reconstructive surgery can sometimes help those who have experienced mutilation regain functionality or aesthetics.

Translations

Translations of the word "mutilation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mutilação

🇮🇳 विक्षत करना

🇩🇪 Verstümmelung

🇮🇩 mutilasi

🇺🇦 мутиляція

🇵🇱 okaleczenie

🇯🇵 切断

🇫🇷 mutilation

🇪🇸 mutilación

🇹🇷 saklama

🇰🇷 절단

🇸🇦 تشويه

🇨🇿 zmrzačení

🇸🇰 mrzačenie

🇨🇳 残害

🇸🇮 mutilacija

🇮🇸 limlesting

🇰🇿 мүшелеу

🇬🇪 დახვეწვა

🇦🇿 mutilasiya

🇲🇽 mutilación

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,528, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17525 conceiving
17526 unfailing
17527 upwardly
17528 mutilation
17529 precondition
17530 impropriety
17531 rad
...