circumcise

/'sə:kəmsaiz/
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Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To remove the foreskin from the penis of (a male baby or boy), often as a religious or cultural ritual. This is the most common meaning.
    • (Less common) To remove the prepuce of the clitoris of (a female). This refers to a form of female genital cutting.
Usage and Examples
  • Verb:
    • In some religious traditions, baby boys are circumcised a few days after birth.
    • The procedure to circumcise an adult male is more complex than for an infant.
    • (Historical/Medical) The controversial practice to circumcise girls is illegal in many countries.
Advanced Usage
  • "To be circumcised": This passive form is frequently used to describe the state of having undergone the procedure.
    • He was circumcised as an infant.
    • The patient is an uncircumcised male. (Note the use of the negative prefix 'un-').
Variants and Related Words

  • Circumcision (n): The act, ritual, or surgical procedure of circumcising.

    • The circumcision was performed by a trained mohel.
    • Male circumcision is common in many cultures.

  • Uncircumcised (adj): Not having been circumcised.

    • An uncircumcised penis.
Synonyms
  • Remove the foreskin: (A descriptive phrase for the male procedure).
  • Perform a bris: (Specifically for the Jewish ritual circumcision of a male infant).
Notes on Meaning
  • The primary and most frequent meaning relates to the male procedure. The female procedure is a distinct and separate practice, often referred to in full as "female circumcision" or, more critically, as female genital mutilation (FGM). The verb "circumcise" can technically apply to both, but context is crucial for clarity.
Verb
  1. cut the foreskin off male babies or teenage boys
    • During the bris, the baby boy is circumcised
  2. cut the skin over the clitoris