circumcise

[sur-kuhm-sahyz]

verb (used with object)

circumcised, circumcising 

1. to remove the prepuce of (a male), especially as a religious rite.

2. to remove the clitoris, prepuce, or labia of (a female).

3. to purify spiritually.

circumcise

/ ˈsɜːkəmˌsaɪz /

verb

1. to remove the foreskin of (a male)

2. to incise surgically the skin over the clitoris of (a female)

3. to remove the clitoris of (a female)

4. to perform the religious rite of circumcision on (someone)

Other Word Forms

• circumciser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumcise¹

1200–50; Middle English circumcisen < Latin circumcīsus (past participle of circumcīdere to cut around), equivalent to circum- circum- + -cīsus ( -cīd- cut + -tus past participle suffix; -cide )

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumcise¹

C13: from Latin circumcīdere, from _circum- + caedere to cut

Example Sentences

"They even made us pull down our pants to see if we are circumcised or not."

From BBC

His extraordinary offer last Monday followed a Facebook post by a priest in the southwestern town of Masis who alleged Pashinyan had been circumcised, comparing him to Judas and implying that he was not Christian.

From BBC

She’s opposed, for example, to having their son circumcised.

From Los Angeles Times

This was when piracy was at its peak and she had just given birth to a son, whom they wanted to circumcise.

From BBC

Somalia tops the list of countries where the practice, also known as female circumcision, is prevalent, with 99% of the female population between the ages of 15 and 49 having been circumcised.

From Seattle Times