vivisection

viv·i·sec·tion

noun \ˌvi-və-ˈsek-shən, ˈvi-və-ˌ\

Definition of VIVISECTION

1

: the cutting of or operation on a living animal usually for physiological or pathological investigation; broadly : animal experimentation especially if considered to cause distress to the subject

2

: minute or pitiless examination or criticism

— viv·i·sec·tion·al \ˌvi-və-ˈsek-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— viv·i·sec·tion·ist \-ˈsek-sh(ə-)nist\ noun

Origin of VIVISECTION

Latin vivus + English section

First Known Use: 1707

Other Physiology Terms

eructation, flux, gustatory, menarche, myopia, senescence, torpor

Rhymes with VIVISECTION

by-election, circumspection, conic section, disaffection, disconnection, disinfection, fuel injection, genuflection, golden section, imperfection, indirection, insurrection, intellection, interjection, intersection, introjection, introspection, kin selection, misdirection, predilection, preselection, recollection, redirection, reelection, reinfection, resurrection, retroflexion, retrospection, self-reflection, stage direction, yeast infection