Definition of: circumcise

(sûr′kəm·sīz) v.t. ·cised, ·cis·ing
1. To cut off the prepuce or, in females, the inner labia of, especially as a religious rite.
2. In the Bible, to purify from sin; to cleanse spiritually. [<OF circonciser <L circumcisus, pp. of circumcidere <circum- around + caedere cut]
—cir′cum·cis′er noun