Main Entry: mu·ti·late

Pronunciation: \ˈmyü-tə-ˌlāt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): mu·ti·lat·ed; mu·ti·lat·ing

Etymology: Latin mutilatus, past participle of mutilare, from mutilus truncated, maimed

Date: 1534

1 : to cut up or alter radically so as to make imperfect <the child mutilated the book with his scissors>
2 : to cut off or permanently destroy a limb or essential part of : cripple

synonyms see maim

— mu·ti·la·tion \ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən\ noun

— mu·ti·la·tor \ˈmyü-tə-ˌlā-tər\ noun