Cîr'cum-cīse, v. t.

(18), v. t. [imp. & p. p. CIRCUMCISED; p. pr. & vb. n. CIRCUMCISING.] [Lat. circumcidere, circumcisum, from circum, around, and cædere, to cut; Pr. circoncire, circumcir, Fr. circoncire, It. circoncidere, Sp. circuncidar, circumcisar.] 1. To cut off the prepuce or foreskin of, in the case of males, and the internal labia of, in the case of females. The circumcision of males is practiced as a religious rite by the Jews, Mohammedans, &c. 2. (Script.) To put off the sins of; to render spiritual or holy.