clitoridectomy

[ klit-er-i-dek-tuh-mee ]

noun

, plural clit·o·ri·dec·to·mies.

1. the excision of the clitoris, usually performed as part of female initiation rites, mainly among certain African peoples, but also sometimes used in various societies to curb sexual desire; female circumcision.

clitoridectomy

/ ˌklɪtərɪˈdɛktəmɪ /

noun

1. surgical removal of the clitoris: a form of female circumcision, esp practised as a religious or ethnic rite

Word History and Origins

Origin of clitoridectomy¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from Greek clitorid- (combining form of kleitorís clitoris ) + -ectomy