infibulation

noun in·fib·u·la·tion \ (ˌ)in-ˌfi-byə-ˈlā-shən \

Definition of infibulation

: extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

Recent Examples of infibulation from the Web

The cutting ranges from a clitoridectomy, partial to total removal of the clitoris, to infibulation, removal of all the external genitalia.

— kristina arriaga, WSJ, "Cutting Young Girls Isn’t Religious Freedom," 24 Aug. 2017
Since 2014 though,the most severe form of infibulation has been illegal in the Puntland region - thanks to a Presidential decree.

— hawa aden mohamed for cnn, CNN, "Breaking the Silence in the World Capital of Female Genital Mutilation," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'infibulation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of infibulation

Latin infibulare to fasten the labia majora or prepuce with stitches or a clasp, from in- + fibula clasp, fibula

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1798

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

infibulation

noun in·fib·u·la·tion \ (ˌ)in-ˌfib-yə-ˈlā-shən \

medical Definition of infibulation

: an act or practice of fastening by ring, clasp, or stitches the labia majora in girls and the foreskin in boys in order to prevent sexual intercourse; especially : extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

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