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autotomy

[ aw-tot-uh-mee ]

noun

plural autotomies.
  1. Zoology.
    1. separation of a body part.
    2. self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage.
  2. the performance of surgery upon oneself.


autotomy

/ ɔːˈtɒtəmɪ; ˌɔːtəˈtɒmɪk /

noun

  1. the casting off by an animal of a part of its body, to facilitate escape when attacked
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • autotomic, adjective
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Other yvlog Forms

  • ·ٴ·ٴdz· [aw-t, uh, -, tom, -ik], ·ٴdzo·dzܲ adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of autotomy1

First recorded in 1895–1900; auto- 1 + -tomy
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Scorpions can detach a body part to escape a predator — a process called autotomy.

From

At a time when body autotomy and rights are threatened daily, thousands of fertility patients have not been safe in their own doctors' offices.

From

The ability to drop appendages is known as autotomy, or self-amputation.

From

In most animals and even some sea slugs, autotomy is thought to serve only as a means of avoiding predation.

From

"We think that very old ones gain little merit from autotomy, as they probably cannot reproduce," Mitoh said.

From

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