avulses
|a-vuls-es|
/əˈvʌlsɪz/
(avulse)
tear away
Etymology
'avulse' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'avulsus', where the prefix 'ab-' (often assimilated to 'a-') meant 'away' and the root 'vellere' (in the form 'vuls-') meant 'to pluck or pull'.
'avulsus' (Latin past participle of 'avellere/avellō') passed into Late/Medieval Latin as forms related to 'avulsio'; English adopted related nouns (avulsion) and verbs (avulse) via scientific and legal borrowing, producing the modern English 'avulse' and derived noun 'avulsion'.
Initially it meant 'to pluck or pull away'; over time the core idea of forceful removal remained, with specialized medical and legal/geological senses (sudden tearing or loss) developing in technical use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to tear away or pull off forcibly; to detach by a sudden force.
The heavy machinery avulses old roots and soil from the hillside.
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Verb 2
in medicine or anatomy: to separate (a part, tissue, tendon, etc.) from its normal point of attachment by force (often used in passive form: avulsed).
The patient avulses the ligament during the accident, requiring surgical repair.
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Last updated: 2025/12/03 19:42