[ad. L. laceratiōn-em, n. of action f. lacerāre to LACERATE. Cf. F. lacération.] The action or process of lacerating; an instance of this.
1597. A. M., trans. Guillemeaus Fr. Chirurg., 5/2. Throughe laceratione of some vayne or arterye.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 344. The orifice doth inlarge it selfe without feare of laceration or tearing.
a. 1631. Donne, in Select. (1840), 38. Forbearing all lacerations and woundings of one another.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. v. 88. The nitrous exhalations force out their way, not only with the breaking of the cloud, but the laceration of the ayre about it.
1731. Arbuthnot, Aliments (1735), 167. The Effects are, Extension of the great Vessels, Compression of the lesser, and Lacerations upon small Causes.
1783. P. Pott, Chirurg., Wks. II. 26. The difference between dilatation and laceration of the peritoneum.
1846. Landor, Imag. Convers., Wks. II. 236/1. The scars and lacerations on your arms.
1863. H. Spencer, First Princ., I. v. § 32 (1875), 115. No mental revolution can be accomplished without more or less of laceration.