ALL meanings of autotomy
au·tot·o·my
A a - noun autotomy the casting off by an animal of a part of its body, to facilitate escape when attacked 3
- noun autotomy the reflex action by which a leg, claw, tail, etc., as of a lobster, starfish, or lizard, is broken off at a special joint when the part is damaged, seized, etc.: the missing part then regenerates 3
- noun plural autotomy Zoology. separation of a body part. self-amputation of a damaged or trapped appendage. 1
- noun plural autotomy the performance of surgery upon oneself. 1
- noun autotomy (chiefly zoology) The spontaneous removal of a limb, tail etc, especially by some invertebrates as a self-defense mechanism. 1
- noun autotomy (chiefly zoology) The spontaneous removal of a limb, tail etc, especially by some invertebrates as a self-defense mechanism. 0