amputate

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Amputate' means to remove a part of the body by surgery. This is usually done to stave off diseases or damage. For example, an extremely damaged hand might be amputated to avoid further complications.

Examples in Different Contexts

In literature, the act of 'amputate' can be metaphorical, such as, 'The protagonist felt as if society had amputated his dreams.'

Practice Scenarios

Medicine

Scenario:

His medical condition is getting worse. We need to devise an immediate plan.

Response:

We should consider all possible outcomes. If things do not improve, we might have to amputate to save the patient’s life.

Business

Scenario:

The company costs have skyrocketed. It's time for us to revaluate our spending.

Response:

We should look into streamlining operations, even if it means we need to amputate some of the costly divisions.