amputation

n. cutting off; surgical removal

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is carried out on individuals as a preventative surgery for such problems. A special case is the congenital amputation, a congenital disorder, where  foetal limbs have been cut off by constrictive bands. In some countries, amputation of the hands or feet was or is used as a form of punishment for criminals. Amputation has also been used as a tactic in war and acts of terrorism. In some cultures and religions, minor amputations or mutilations are considered a ritual accomplishment. Unlike many non-mammalian animals, (such as lizards which shed their tails), once removed, human extremities do not grow back. A transplant or a prosthesis are the only options for recovering the loss.
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Amputation is the intentional surgical removal of a limb or body part. It is performed to remove diseased tissue or relieve [more]Amputation - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a condition of disability resulting from the loss of one or more limbs
(hypernym) disability, disablement, handicap, impairment
(derivation) amputate, cut off
2. a surgical removal of all or part of a limb
(hypernym) operation, surgery, surgical operation, surgical procedure, surgical process
(derivation) amputate, cut off

n. (Medicine) ablation, surgical removal, excision; (Surgical) abscision, cutting off, removal by cutting, amputation, avulsion, tearing away; exsection, cutting out