[f. L. ēviscerāt- ppl. stem of ēviscerāre (= sense 1), f. ē- out + viscer-a (pl. of viscus) the internal organs, VISCERA.]
1. trans. To take out the internal organs or entrails of; to disembowel; to gut. Also absol.
1623. in Cockeram.
1651. R. Wittie, trans. Primrose’s Pop. Err., IV. xxxvi. 353. They are taken out of creatures that are slain and eviscerated.
1846. [see EVIRATE v.].
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. xii. 127. He was first harpooned, then eviscerated.
1862. Macm. Mag., Oct., 511/2. The weird-like gutters eviscerate in desperation, as basketful after basketful … are poured into the gutting-trough.
1862. Alcock, Capit. Tycoon, II. 6. Declaring that if he did not obtain full justice on the spot, he would eviscerate himself in the Prince’s presence.
1882. T. J. Parker, in Nature, XXV. 352. The fish is eviscerated, the gills removed and placed in strong spirit.
b. refl. of the spider. Also fig. † To eviscerate one’s brains.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. III. xiv. (1651), 125. If he be a Scholar so commended for his much reading … he will eviscerate himself like a spider, study to death.
1623. Drumm. of Hawth., Cypress Grove, Wks. (1711), 119. The Spider … for the weaving of a scornful Web eviscerateth it self many Days.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter ii. 5. 591. For the covetous, that like a spider eviscerates herselfe, spends her owne bowels in making a webbe to catch a flie.
1654. Trapp, Comm. Job xxxii. 11. Your … most elaborate demonstrations, for the which you had eviscerated your brains.
c. transf. To clear out the contents of; to empty, gut.
1834. Blackw. Mag., XXXV. 656/1. In vain did I, as it were, eviscerate every fold and every pocket.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iii. A Paper-Warehouse eviscerated by axe and fire.
2. In various figurative applications.
a. To draw out what is vital or essential in (any thing); to elicit the ‘pith’ or essence of. rare.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva, Pref. to Rdr. They … as it were eviscerating Nature … have collected innumerable Experiments [etc.].
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 205. To prevent fraud and chicane, and eviscerate the very truth of the title.
1872. O. W. Holmes, Poet Breakf.-t., ix. 295. Some single point I could utterly eviscerate and leave finally settled.
b. To empty of vital contents; to deprive (an argument, institution, enactment, etc.) of all that gives it value or importance.
1834. Blackw. Mag., XXXVI. 329. France was eviscerated of all the nobler organs which once gave it a European existence.
1845. W. Sewell, Hawkstone, I. 79. The hymn … was … one of Watts’ which Mr. Priestley had previously eviscerated of all peculiar doctrines.
1881. Daily News, 15 Feb., 2/1. Amendments intended to eviscerate the clause were moved by Dr. Commins … and others.
† c. transf. To bring out the inmost secrets of; refl. to disclose one’s inmost thoughts. Also fig. Obs. rare.
1607. J. King, Serm., 5 Nov., 32. Yet was … the deep and vnsearchable hell of their harts … eviscerated, ransacked [etc.].
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1650), I. VI. xxxii. 221. Now that I have thus eviscerated my self, and dealt so clearly with you, I desire by way of correspondence that you would tell me [etc.].
