self-mutilation
|self-mu-ti-la-tion|
C1
/sɛlf ˌmjuːtɪˈleɪʃən/
deliberate self-harm
Etymology
Etymology Information
'self-mutilation' originates from the combination of 'self,' meaning 'one's own,' and 'mutilation,' which comes from Latin 'mutilare,' meaning 'to cut off or maim.'
Historical Evolution
'mutilation' changed from the Latin word 'mutilare' and eventually became the modern English word 'mutilation.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to cut off or maim,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'deliberately harming one's own body.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of deliberately harming one's own body as a way to cope with emotional distress or psychological issues.
She sought therapy to address her self-mutilation habits.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/03 06:25