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vivisection

 - 7 dictionary results

viv⋅i⋅sec⋅tion

  [viv-uh-sek-shuhn]
Use vivisection in a Sentence
–noun
1. the action of cutting into or dissecting a living body.
2. the practice of subjecting living animals to cutting operations, esp. in order to advance physiological and pathological knowledge.
Origin:
1700–10; vivi- + section

Related forms:
viv⋅i⋅sec⋅tion⋅al, adjective
viv⋅i⋅sec⋅tion⋅al⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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viv·i·sec·tion   (vĭv'ĭ-sěk'shən, vĭv'ĭ-sěk'-)   
n.  The act or practice of cutting into or otherwise injuring living animals, especially for the purpose of scientific research.

[Latin vīvus, alive; see vivify + (dis)section.]
viv'i·sec'tion·al adj., viv'i·sec'tion·al·ly adv., viv'i·sec'tion·ist n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

vivisection [(viv-uh-sek-shuhn, viv-uh-sek-shuhn)]

The cutting up or dissection of animals, including anesthetized live animals, in scientific research. Vivisection is also a general term for the use of animals as subjects in laboratory experiments, especially in the development of new medical techniques and drugs.

Note: Vivisection, as well as the general use of animals in medical research, is a target of protest by animal rights advocates.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vivisection 
"dissection of a living animal," 1707, from L. vivus "alive" (see vivid) + (dis)section (see section). Verb vivisect is an 1859 back-formation.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vivi·sec·tion
Pronunciation: "viv-&-'sek-sh&n, 'viv-&-"
Function: noun
: the cutting of or operation on a living animalusually for physiological or pathological investigation —vivi·sect /-'sekt/ verb —vivi·sec·tion·al /"viv-&-'sek-shn&l, -sh&n-&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vivisection viv·i·sec·tion (vĭv'ĭ-sěk'shən, vĭv'ĭ-sěk'-)
n.
The act or practice of cutting into or otherwise injuring living animals, especially for the purpose of scientific research.

viv'i·sec'tion·ist n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
vivisection   (vĭv'ĭ-sěk'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
The practice of examining internal organs and tissues by cutting into or dissecting a living animal, especially for the purpose of scientific research.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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