• (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Amputate
amputate, amputating 1. To cut off a projecting body part, a limb, or other appendage of the body, especially in a surgical operation; literally, 'to cut around'. 2. Etymology: From the Mid-16th century Latin amputat-, past participle of amputare, 'cut around' from ambi-, 'around' plus putare 'to cut'/