from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Circumcise \Cir"cum*cise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Circumcised}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Circumcising}.] [L. circumcisus, p. p. of
circumcidere to cut around, to circumcise; circum + caedere
to cut; akin to E. c[ae]sura, homicide, concise, and prob. to
shed, v. t.]
1. To cut off the prepuce of foreskin of, in the case of
males, and the internal labia of, in the case of females.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Script.) To purify spiritually.
[1913 Webster]