French word

amputer

Pronunciation

IPA/ɑ̃pyte/

Meaning

  • verbamputate

Example

Le chirurgien doit amputer la jambe.

The surgeon must amputate the leg.

Illustration for amputer (amputate)

More examples

Les sauveteurs ont dû amputer un membre coincé pour dégager la victime.

The rescuers had to amputate a trapped limb to free the victim.

Core concept

A surgeon removing a limb, or a tool cutting away one section of an object.

Common phrases

  • amputer un membre

    amputate a limb

  • amputer le bras

    amputate the arm

Similar words

couper: Cutting an object or body part with a blade or scissors.
enlever: Removing an object from where it has been placed or attached.
retirer: Taking an object out of a place or state.
ôter: Removing an unwanted object or something being worn.

Definition in French

Retirer par opération ou par coupe une partie d'un membre ou d'un organe ; sens étendu : ôter une partie d'un objet.

Word origin

French amputer comes from Latin amputare, meaning to cut off or prune.

Usage tips

  • Amputer is a regular transitive -er verb, as in amputer la jambe, and it takes avoir in the passé composé.

Other meanings

  • cut offverb

Opposites

  • réimplanterreimplantverb

Related words

  • amputationamputationnoun
  • amputéamputeenoun

Word lists with this word