circumcision

From Latin circumcīsiō, from circumcīdō (“cut around”), from circum (“about, around; through”) + caedō (“cut, hew”).

• Rhymes: -ɪʒən

circumcision (countable and uncountable, plural circumcisions)

1. The surgical excision of the foreskin of the penis; posthetomy.
   • 1697, Benjamin Keach, A Counter-Antidote to Purge Out the Effects of a Late Counterfeit‎, page 7:

     So ſay I , did the Covenant of circumciſion, in that he that was circumciſed was bound to keep the whole Law Gal 5. 3.

   1. (chiefly historical or Philippines) Other surgeries involving the incision or partial excision of the foreskin or penile frenulum without total posthetomy (as opposed to pharisaic circumcision).

      The ancient Egyptians practiced circumcision by creating a dorsal incision in the foreskin.

2. The surgical excision of the clitoral hood of the clitoris; female circumcision (a form of female genital mutilation when done without medical justification).
3. (often proscribed) The surgical excision of the clitoris; clitoridectomy (a form of female genital mutilation when done without medical justification).

• circ (informal)

• genital mutilation

• circumcise, circumcize