Definition

Noun 1. A torn, jagged, or mangled wound: A laceration is a type of injury where the skin and often the underlying tissue are torn, resulting in a wound with irregular, ragged edges. It is typically caused by blunt force trauma or a tearing action. 2. The act of lacerating: The process or action of tearing or mangling something, especially flesh.

Usage and Examples

• As a wound:
  • The doctor cleaned and stitched the deep laceration on his arm.
  • The accident resulted in multiple lacerations to her face and legs.
• As the act of tearing:
  • The laceration of the skin was caused by the sharp metal edge. (This usage is less common in everyday language and more formal or technical.)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative/Emotional Use: The word can be used metaphorically to describe severe emotional pain or damage.
  • The betrayal caused a deep emotional laceration that took years to heal.
• Medical Context: In medical terminology, a laceration is specifically distinguished from an (a clean cut) by its ragged nature.

Variants and Related Words

• Lacerate (verb): To tear or deeply cut (something, especially flesh or skin).
  • The barbed wire lacerated his hands.
• Lacerated (adjective): Torn or mangled; deeply hurt.
  • He suffered a lacerated liver in the crash.
  • Her lacerated feelings were evident.

Synonyms

• Tear (noun): A hole or split caused by tearing.
• Gash (noun): A long, deep cut or wound.
• Rip (noun): A tear or split in material.
• Mangle (verb/noun): To severely mutilate or disfigure by tearing or crushing.

Antonyms

• Incision (noun): A surgical cut made with a sharp, clean edge.
• Abrasion (noun): A wound caused by superficial damage to the skin, like a scrape.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To suffer lacerations: A common phrase in accident or injury reports.
  • The driver suffered minor lacerations but was otherwise unharmed.
• Laceration and contusion: A frequent pairing in medical contexts, referring to cuts and bruises.
  • The patient was treated for multiple lacerations and contusions.

Noun

1. the act of lacerating
2. a torn ragged wound