autotomy

noun

au·​tot·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtä-tə-mē 

: reflex separation of a part (such as an appendage) from the body : division of the body into two or more pieces

autotomous

ȯ-ˈtä-tə-məs 

adjective

autotomize

ȯ-ˈtä-tə-ˌmīz 

verb

Examples of autotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Without the injection, autotomy was seen mostly in animals that had arms that were clamped closest to the autotomy plane. — Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 14 Sep. 2024

Leopard geckos are one of a few lizard species that possess this self-amputation ability, known as autotomy. — Jason G. Goldman, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2017

Economy of arm autotomy in the mesopelagic squid Octopoteuthis deletron. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2012

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French autotomie, from auto- auto- + -tomie -tomy

Note: The term was introduced by the Belgian physiologist Léon Fredericq (1851-1935) in "Sur l'autotomie ou mutilation par voie réflexe comme moyen de défense chez les animaux," Archives de zoologie expérimentale et générale, deuxième série, tome premier (1883), pp. 413-26.

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for autotomy

• colostomy
• lobotomy
• foamy
• homey
• komi
• loamy
• naomi
• salome
• osteotomy
• potawatomi
• tracheostomy

Medical Definition

autotomy

noun

au·​tot·​o·​my ȯ-ˈtät-ə-mē 

plural autotomies

: reflex separation of a part from the body especially in an invertebrate