CIRCUMCISE


Meaning of CIRCUMCISE in English

v.tr.

1. cut off the foreskin, as a Jewish or Muslim rite or a surgical operation.

2 cut off the clitoris (and sometimes the labia), usu. as a religious rite.

3 Bibl. purify (the heart etc.).

Etymology: ME f. OF f. L circumcidere circumcis- (as CIRCUM-, caedere cut)

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.