circumcise

Meanings

1. To surgically remove the foreskin (prepuce) from the penis of.
2. To surgically remove the clitoris (clitoridectomy), clitoral hood, or labia.
3. To trim off the portion of the barrel liner of a large-caliber naval gun that protrudes from the end of the barrel as a result of the liner slowly stretching from prolonged fire.

Etymology

From Middle English circumcisen, from Old French circumciser (modern French circoncire) and its etymon Latin circumcīsus, the past participle of circumcīdō (“cut around”), from circum (“about, around; through”) + caedō (“cut, hew”).