What does lobotomize mean?
Lobotomize is a verb that means to remove or destroy a part of the brain, especially to relieve mental illness, or to deprive someone of their mental faculties or creativity. The term originated in the 20th century and is derived from the Greek words 'leptos' meaning thin and 'tomos' meaning cutting. It is often used metaphorically to describe a loss of creativity or mental faculties, rather than a literal surgical procedure. The word has been used in various contexts, including medicine, psychology, and literature. In modern usage, it is often used to describe a loss of mental or emotional faculties, rather than a literal surgical procedure. The word has a somewhat negative connotation, implying a loss of creativity or mental abilities. It is often used in formal or technical contexts, such as medicine or psychology, but can also be used in more casual contexts to describe a loss of mental or emotional faculties.
To remove or destroy a part of the brain, especially to relieve mental illness, or to deprive someone of their mental faculties or creativity.
"The doctor warned that the patient would be lobotomized if they didn't undergo the surgery."
The term 'lobotomize' is often used metaphorically to describe a loss of creativity or mental faculties, rather than a literal surgical procedure.
To deprive someone of their mental faculties or creativity, often metaphorically.
"The artist felt that her creativity was being lobotomized by the strict rules of the company."
This sense of the word is often used in more casual contexts to describe a loss of mental or emotional faculties.
The plural form is used to describe multiple instances of the verb, such as 'The doctor warned that the patients would be lobotomized if they didn't undergo the surgery.'
"The doctor warned that the patients would be lobotomized if they didn't undergo the surgery."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lobotomize
The term 'lobotomize' originated in the 20th century from the Greek words 'leptos' meaning thin and 'tomos' meaning cutting. It was first used in the 1940s to describe a surgical procedure that involved cutting or removing parts of the brain to relieve mental illness. The word has since been used metaphorically to describe a loss of creativity or mental faculties.
How lobotomize is actually used
The term 'lobotomize' is often used metaphorically to describe a loss of creativity or mental faculties, rather than a literal surgical procedure.