autotomy

/ɔːˈtɒtəmi/ · noun

Meaning

The spontaneous removal of a limb, tail etc, especially by some invertebrates as a self-defense mechanism.

Etymology / origin

No prose etymology has been added yet.

No ancestor words have been linked yet.

Related words

caudal(English)tail-shedding(English)autogrooming(English)autohaemorrhaging(English)zoötomy(English)paradactylum(English)introvert(English)infanticide(English)shedding(English)appendages(English)regenerate(English)distract(English)

Descendant words

No descendant words have been linked yet.

Sources

DictionaryAPI.dev English dictionary data