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Definition of "avulsion" []

  • The forcible tearing away of a body part by trauma or surgery. (noun)
  • The sudden movement of soil from one property to another as a result of a flood or a shift in the course of a boundary stream. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "avulsion" in a sentence
  • "SS Nomar Garciaparra (left groin avulsion of the adductor longus muscle -- a ruptured tendon) is on the 60-day"
  • "At least three patients for whom Dr. Sherman allegedly billed for toenail removal, called avulsion, said they only received foot soakings and, in some cases, nail trimmings, according to a person familiar with the case."
  • "Vikings coach Brad Childress said Monday an MRI on Favre's foot revealed the stress fracture as well as an "avulsion" fracture in the heel bone."