v. [f. L. amputāt- ppl. stem of amputā-re to cut off or away, f. am- = amb- about + putā-re to prune, lop.]
1. gen. To cut or lop off, e.g., the branches of trees in pruning: Obs. exc. as a fig. use of 2.
1638. Penit. Conf., xii. (1657), 335. ’Tis not impossible for a quick and fruitful branch to be amputated and cut off.
1731. Bailey, Amputate, to cut off; in gardening, to lop or prune.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., II. 268. The Government … finding this or that damaged part of the population, and immediately amputating it for removal.
Hence, by specialization, the proper term for.
2. To cut off a limb or other part of an animal body. Also absol.
1639. [See AMPUTATING.]
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. i. 19. Members amputated and divided from the Body.
1676. Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., VI. v. It was complained, that their surgeons were too active in amputating fractured members.
1764. Woolcomb, in Phil. Trans., LX. 97. It was not now practicable to amputate.
1809. Wellington, in Gen. Disp., IV. 328. Paget … was wounded in the right arm, which was amputated.
1826. H. Coleridge, Six Months in W. Ind., 275. Two … sharks who would have amputated a baby’s arm as soon as looked at it.
