circumcision Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Church) feast day celebrating the circumcision of Jesus; celebrated on January 1st
    Feast of the Circumcision; January 1.
  2. noun the act of circumcising performed on males eight days after birth as a Jewish and Muslim religious rite
  3. noun the act of circumcising; surgical removal of the foreskin of males

WordNet

Cir`cum*cision noun
Etymology
L. circumcisio.
Definitions
  1. The act of cutting off the prepuce or foreskin of males, or the internal labia of females. ✍ The circumcision of males is practiced as a religious rite by the Jews, Mohammedans, etc.
  2. (Script.) (a) The Jews, as a circumcised people. (b) Rejection of the sins of the flesh; spiritual purification, and acceptance of the Christian faith.

Webster 1913