See Also: circumcise(medicine)
circumcise(dictionary)
circumcise(dictionary)

circumcise (iou)



circumcise verb trans. ME.
[Old French circonciser or circoncis- pa. ppl stem of circoncire, from Latin circumcidere (translating Greek peritemnein), formed as CIRCUM- + caedere to cut.]
I.
Cut off the foreskin of (a male), as a religious rite (esp. Jewish or Muslim) or for medical reasons; cut off the clitoris or the labia minora of (a female). ME.
fig. In biblical translations and allusions: purify (the heart etc.). ME.
II.
Cut round, trim. LME-L18.
fig. Cut short, curtail, limit. M16-L17.
circumciser noun M16.