Basic Details
Word: Amputation
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The medical removal of a body part, usually a limb, due to injury, disease, or for other health reasons.
Synonyms: Removal, excision
Antonyms: Addition, attachment
Idioms and Phrases
- Cut off one's nose to spite one's face: To harm oneself while trying to harm another, often seen as self-destructive behaviour. Example: "By refusing to attend the meeting, he was just cutting off his nose to spite his face."
- Take a load off: To rest or relax. Example: "After a long day, she just wanted to take a load off and not think about her worries."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The doctor explained that an amputation was necessary to save the person's life after the severe accident.
Example 2: After her arm amputation, she worked hard to adapt and learn how to use a prosthetic limb.
Example 3: Advances in medicine have made recovery after an amputation much easier and faster for patients.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the oldest known surgical amputation was performed about 31,000 years ago? A skull discovered in France suggests that a prehistoric man had his arm removed and survived for several years afterwards!
Famous Quote
"Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths." Etty Hillesum
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "amputation" mean?
a) Adding a body part
b) The medical removal of a body part
c) A type of surgery unrelated to limbs
d) Treating a wound
Answer: b) The medical removal of a body part
2. Which of these is a synonym of "amputation"?
a) Removal
b) Attachment
c) Building
d) Repair
Answer: a) Removal
3. What is an antonym of "amputation"?
a) Excision
b) Addition
c) Operation
d) Procedure
Answer: b) Addition
4. Which sentence uses "amputation" correctly?
a) After the amputation, she felt stronger and more determined.
b) He performed an amputation by eating lunch.
c) The amputation made him a faster runner.
d) Amputation is a type of music.
Answer: a) After the amputation, she felt stronger and more determined.
5. Which idiom suggests self-harm while trying to harm someone else?
a) Take a load off
b) Cut off one's nose to spite one's face
c) A blessing in disguise
d) Hit the nail on the head
Answer: b) Cut off one's nose to spite one's face
