self-mutilation

noun

self-mu·ti·la·tion | \ ˌself-ˌmyü-tə-ˈlā-shən

Definition of self-mutilation

: the act of inflicting injury or disfigurement to one's own body The original wound reopened and became dangerously infected, and yet this classic display of canine self-mutilation continued. — Dog Watch But there seem to be, nevertheless, very few cases of actual cowardice. Of these, the majority involve self-mutilation by conscripts, in an attempt to be invalided out of the Army.— Carey Schofield … a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered the state to pay for the private care of a 19-year- old man suffering from a rare neurological disorder that prompts violent bouts of self-mutilation.— Claudia Puig specifically : the act of purposely hurting oneself (as by cutting or burning the skin) as an emotional coping mechanism : self-harm … the terrible incidence of self-mutilation, or cutting, particularly among young girls. — Judy Quinn

Other Words from self-mutilation

self-mutilate \ ˌself-ˈmyü-tə-ˌlāt

\ intransitive verb self-mutilated; self-mutilating; self-mutilates

self-mutilating behavior

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Cite this Entry

“Self-mutilation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-mutilation. Accessed 15 Apr. 2021.

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