different between mutilate vs lacerate

English

Etymology

From Latin mutilatus, the past participle of mutilo (“to mutilate”), itself from mutilus (“maimed”).

Pronunciation

• (verb) IPA^(key): /?mju?t?le?t/
• (adjective) IPA^(key): /?mju?t?l?t/

Verb

mutilate (third-person singular simple present mutilates, present participle mutilating, simple past and past participle mutilated)

1. To physically harm as to impair use, notably by cutting off or otherwise disabling a vital part, such as a limb.
2. To destroy beyond recognition.
3. (figuratively) To render imperfect or defective.
   • 1862, George Long, translation of Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book V:

     For two reasons then it is right to be content with that which happens to thee; the one, because it was done for thee and prescribed for thee, and in a manner had reference to thee, originally from the most ancient causes spun with thy destiny; and the other, because even that which comes severally to every man is to the power which administers the universe a cause of felicity and perfection, nay even of its very continuance. For the integrity of the whole is mutilated, if thou cuttest off anything whatever from the conjunction and the continuity either of the parts or of the causes. And thou dost cut off, as far as it is in thy power, when thou art dissatisfied, and in a manner triest to put anything out of the way.

Synonyms

• maim
• mangle

Derived terms

• mutilation
• mutilative
• mutilator

Translations

Adjective

mutilate (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.
   • 1643, Thomas Browne, Religio Medici

     mutilate and semi-bodies

2. (zoology) Having fin-like appendages or flukes instead of legs, as a cetacean does.

Alternative forms

• mut. (abbreviation)

See also

• amputate, amputation
• castrate, castration
• circumcise, circumcision

Anagrams

• ultimate

Italian

Verb

mutilate

1. second-person plural present indicative of mutilare
2. second-person plural imperative of mutilare
3. feminine plural of mutilato

Anagrams

• multiate
• ultimate

Latin

Verb

mutil?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of mutil?

English

Etymology

From Middle English laceraten, from Latin lacer?tus, past participle of lacer?.

Pronunciation

• (verb): IPA^(key): /?læ.s?.ejt/
• (verb): Hyphenation: lac?er?ate
• (adjective): IPA^(key): /?læ.s?.?t/

Verb

lacerate (third-person singular simple present lacerates, present participle lacerating, simple past and past participle lacerated)

1. (transitive) To tear, rip or wound.
2. (transitive) To defeat thoroughly; to thrash.

Translations

Adjective

lacerate (not comparable)

1. (botany) Jagged, as if torn or lacerated.

   The bract at the base is dry and papery, often lacerate near its apex.

Italian

Verb

lacerate

1. second-person plural present indicative of lacerare
2. second-person plural imperative of lacerare
3. feminine plural of lacerato

Latin

Participle

lacer?te

1. vocative masculine singular of lacer?tus