mutilation
n. C / Un. the act of damaging a person's body or an object very badly. It often means cutting or removing a part of something so it is no longer whole or beautiful.
n. the action of inflicting serious, permanent damage on a body or object, typically by removing or destroying a limb or essential part.
The ancient statue suffered terrible mutilation over the centuries.
The treaty included strict laws to prevent the mutilation of historical monuments during times of war.
The forensic report detailed the extensive mutilation of the crime scene, suggesting the perpetrator intended to obscure any evidence that could lead to a positive identification.
Latin mutilatio; compare French mutilation.
Uncountable when referring to the general act; countable when referring to specific instances of injury or damage.