vivisection

vivi·sec·tion

noun \ˌviv-ə-ˈsek-shən, ˈviv-ə-ˌ\

Definition of VIVISECTION

: the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation; broadly : animal experimentation especially if considered to cause distress or result in injury or death to the subject

—vivi·sect \-ˈsekt\ verb

—vivi·sec·tion·al \ˌviv-ə-ˈsek-shnəl, -shən-^əl\ adjective