infibulation

noun

in·​fib·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌfi-byə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce infibulation (audio)
: extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina

Examples of infibulation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like many in Sudan, Ms. Ali was subjected to an extreme form of FGM known as infibulation, which involves the cutting and repositioning of the labia, sometimes through stitching, to narrow the vaginal opening. Samy Magdy and Mariam Fam, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 July 2020 Data also suggest Somalia families have switched from infibulation to less severe forms of the ritual. Fox News, 20 May 2020 The cutting ranges from a clitoridectomy, partial to total removal of the clitoris, to infibulation, removal of all the external genitalia. Kristina Arriaga, WSJ, 24 Aug. 2017 Since 2014 though,the most severe form of infibulation has been illegal in the Puntland region - thanks to a Presidential decree. Hawa Aden Mohamed For Cnn, CNN, 5 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Latin infibulare to fasten the labia majora or prepuce with stitches or a clasp, from in- + fibula clasp, fibula

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infibulation was in 1798

Dictionary Entries Near infibulation

Cite this Entry

“Infibulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infibulation. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

infibulation

noun
in·​fib·​u·​la·​tion (ˌ)in-ˌfib-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce infibulation (audio)
: an act or practice of fastening by ring, clasp, or stitches the labia majora in girls and the foreskin in boys in order to prevent sexual intercourse
especially : extreme female genital mutilation involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina
infibulate transitive verb
infibulated; infibulating

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