Mutilate

Pronunciation: /ˈmjuːtɪˌleɪt/

Definitions of mutilate

verb to inflict a violent and disfiguring injury on; maim

Example Sentences

A1 Do not mutilate the paper with scissors.

A2 The criminal mutilated the victim's body beyond recognition.

B1 The artist deliberately mutilated the painting to create a unique effect.

B2 The dictator's regime was known for its brutal tactics, including mutilating dissidents.

C1 The surgeon had to carefully mutilate the tumor to prevent it from spreading further.

C2 The serial killer's signature was to mutilate his victims in a gruesome manner.

Examples of mutilate in a Sentence

formal It is a serious crime to mutilate someone's body.

informal I can't believe someone would mutilate that statue in the park.

slang I heard they mutilated his car by keying it all over.

figurative The editor mutilated my article by cutting out all the important parts.

Grammatical Forms of mutilate

• past tense: mutilated
• plural: mutilates
• comparative: more mutilated
• superlative: most mutilated
• present tense: mutilate
• future tense: will mutilate
• perfect tense: has mutilated
• continuous tense: is mutilating
• singular: mutilate
• positive degree: mutilate
• infinitive: mutilate
• gerund: mutilating
• participle: mutilated

Origin and Evolution of mutilate

First Known Use: 1542 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'mutilate' originated from the Latin word 'mutilatus', which is derived from the verb 'mutilare' meaning to cut off or maim.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'mutilate' has retained its original meaning of causing severe damage or disfigurement, but it has also come to be used in a broader sense to describe any act of severe alteration or destruction.