demembration

noun de·mem·bra·tion \ ¦dē(ˌ)memˈbrāshən \

Definition of demembration

plural -s

Scots law

: the crime of maliciously severing a limb from the body of a person

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Origin and Etymology of demembration

Medieval Latin demembration-, demembratio, from Late Latin demembratus (past participle of demembrare to dismember, from de- of + membrum limb) + -ion-, -io -ion