lacerate
lacerate Lexical Profile
lacerate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To tear, gash, or make deep, irregular cuts in (especially flesh or skin).
"The hiker accidentally stepped on a sharp rock that threatened to lacerate his foot through his thin boot."
To deeply hurt, distress, or harshly criticize someone's feelings or reputation.
"The reviewer's scathing commentary continued to lacerate the author's pride long after the article was published."
• adjective
Having deeply and irregularly cleft or jagged edges, appearing as if torn (especially in botany and anatomy).
"The botanist examined the lacerate margins of the dried leaf specimen under a magnifying lens."
• Rhymes for lacerate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Latin laceratus, the past participle of lacerare ('to tear to pieces' or 'mangle'), derived from lacer ('mangled' or 'torn').