/ ˈæmpjuteɪt; NAmE / verb
to cut off sb's arm, leg, finger or toe in a medical operation :
[ vn ]
He had to have both legs amputated.
[ v ]
They may have to amputate.
► am·pu·ta·tion / ˌæmpjuˈteɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , C ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin amputat- lopped off, from amputare , from am- (for amb- about) + putare to prune.