WordGarden.ioexcision
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɛksˈɪʒən/
US
- /ɪkˈsɪʒən/
Meanings
Noun
the surgical removal of tissue or an abnormal growth
the act of cutting something out from a larger whole
the deletion of a passage or section from a written work
More meaningsFewer meanings
the removal of a segment of biological material, such as DNA
Beyond the definition
Imagine a sculptor carefully chipping away at stone to reveal the form within - that's similar to what excision means. It is the act of cutting something out or removing it, often in a careful and exact way. A doctor might perform an excision to remove a tumor, and an editor might make excisions to shorten a manuscript. Think of it as a deliberate removal.
The word comes from Latin roots meaning "to cut out." It's often used in medical contexts, but you can also use it more broadly when talking about getting rid of something unwanted or unnecessary – like excising negative thoughts from your mind!
Excision is the act of cutting something out or removing it completely. While it can be a general term for removal, it's most commonly used in medical and surgical contexts. A surgeon might perform an excision to remove cancerous tissue, a skin lesion, or even an inflamed appendix. In these cases, the excision aims to eliminate the problem by physically taking it away. "The doctor recommended a wide local excision to ensure all of the cancerous cells were removed."
However, excision isn't limited to the operating room. It can also refer to the deliberate removal of something from a larger whole, especially in writing or editing. An editor might make excisions in a manuscript, cutting out unnecessary passages or repetitive phrases to improve clarity and flow. "The final draft required several excisions to meet the word count."
Figuratively, excision can describe the forceful removal of ideas, habits, or influences. You might talk about "the excision of prejudice" from society, meaning a concerted effort to eliminate biased thinking.
While often associated with something negative being removed, such as disease, excision simply describes the act of cutting something away. What is removed determines whether the action is seen as positive or negative. So, whether in a hospital, an editor's office, or a broader discussion, excision suggests a deliberate and complete removal.
Examples
- 1
Medical advice
The doctor recommended excision of the small lump as soon as possible.
- 2
Follow-up care
After the excision, she had to return to the clinic for a follow-up visit.
- 3
Film editing
The excision of two scenes from the film made the ending harder to understand.
- Patternexcision of + item from + larger thing
the removal of something from something larger
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- ablation
- debridement
- extirpation
Contrast
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- surgical excision
- complete excision
- wide local excision
- excision biopsy
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- excisionnoun
Forms
- excisionspluralnoun