Dismember vs Mutilate - What's the difference?
dismember | mutilate | Synonyms |
To remove the limbs of.
To cut or otherwise divide something into pieces.
To physically harm as to impair use, notably by cutting off or otherwise disabling a vital part, such as a limb.
To destroy beyond recognition.
(figuratively) To render imperfect or defective.
(obsolete) Deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.
(zoology) Having fin-like appendages or flukes instead of legs, as a cetacean does.
(Webster 1913)
As verbs the difference between dismember and mutilate
is that dismember is to remove the limbs of while mutilate is to physically harm as to impair use, notably by cutting off or otherwise disabling a vital part, such as a limb.As an adjective mutilate is
deprived of, or having lost, an important part; mutilated.dismember
English
Alternative forms
* dismembre (obsolete)Verb
(en verb)- Death by drawing and quartering usually dismembered the condemned person.
- The killer methodically dismembered the bodies of his victims.
- The American Civil War nearly dismembered the Union.
Derived terms
* dismembermentmutilate
English
Verb
(en-verb)Synonyms
* maim * mangleDerived terms
* mutilation * mutilative * mutilatorSee also
* amputate, amputation * castrate, castration * circumcise, circumcisionAdjective
(-)- (Sir Thomas Browne)