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amputate

Amputate (verb) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

verb

IPA:

/ˈampjʊteɪt/

What does amputate mean?

To surgically remove a body part, usually a limb or extremity, due to injury, disease, or other medical conditions.
"The gangrene was so severe, the only option was to amputate."

Detailed Meaning of Amputate

This procedure is typically performed as a last resort when other treatments have failed or when the patient's health is at risk. The amputation may be partial or complete, depending on the severity and location of the condition. Common reasons for amputation include cancer, infection, severe trauma, and complications from diabetes or vascular disease. The surgery involves cutting through bone, muscle, and tissue, and may require a period of rehabilitation and physical therapy. While amputation can be a life-saving procedure, it can also have significant physical and psychological impacts on the patient, requiring ongoing medical care and support.

Example Sentences for Amputate

1. Doctors sometimes need to amputate a limb to save a patient's life.
2. Did you know that they had to amputate his leg because of the infection?
3. The accident was so severe that they had to amputate both of her arms.
4. It is a tough decision for a doctor to amputate a young person's limb.
5. They will amputate the finger as it is beyond saving.
6. The surgeons are going to amputate his foot tomorrow morning.

Origin and Etymology of Amputate

The verb 'amputate' has its roots in the Latin language, specifically from the Latin word 'amputare,' which is a combination of 'am-' meaning 'to' and 'putare' meaning 'to prune' or 'to cut.' In ancient Rome, 'amputare' was used to describe the act of pruning or cutting away branches from a tree or plant. Over time, this term was metaphorically extended to describe the surgical procedure of cutting away a part of the human body, usually a limb or extremity, due to injury, disease, or other medical conditions. The etymology of 'amputate' thus reflects its historical connection to the concept of cutting or pruning, which has evolved to encompass the delicate and often life-saving surgical removal of a body part in the field of medicine.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the verb amputate:

join

unite

attach

remove

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Amputate

1. If the infection spreads further, they may have to amputate.
2. If you don't take precautions, frostbite could force doctors to amputate.
3. Diabetes can lead to poor circulation, which may sometimes require doctors to amputate a limb.
4. It is essential to explore all other options before deciding to amputate.
5. Sometimes it is better to amputate and use a prosthetic limb for improved quality of life.
6. After the shark attack, the medical team had to amputate his leg to save his life.
7. They might have to amputate if the wound becomes gangrenous.
8. The surgical team will amputate the arm due to extensive muscle and nerve damage.
9. Before the advancement in medical treatments, the only way to deal with gangrene was to amputate.
10. To amputate or not to amputate, that is the question facing the medical board.
11. The decision to amputate was made after considering all other alternatives.
12. If the circulation does not improve, the vascular surgeon may have to amputate the limb.
13. The soldier was brave, knowing that they had to amputate his leg to save him from the infection.
14. The surgeon had to amputate the patient's severely injured leg.
15. In emergency situations, doctors may amputate to save a life.
16. He faced a difficult decision: to amputate or attempt reconstruction.
17. The infection spread rapidly, necessitating an immediate amputation.
18. They amputated her arm to prevent cancer from spreading.
19. After the accident, they had to amputate his mangled hand.
20. A team of specialists was assembled to amputate safely.
21. Amputating a limb is the last resort in medical treatment.
22. The soldier showed immense bravery after his battlefield amputation.
23. A successful amputation requires precision and expertise.
24. Modern prosthetics have transformed the lives of amputees.