Definition

To remove the internal organs, especially the intestines, from a body.

Example

The ancient practice involved disemboweling animals for ritual purposes.

Tense Forms

Conversation

Did you see that movie where they had to disembowel the creature to save the town?

Yeah, that part was so intense!

I didn't expect it to be so graphic when they disembowel it, though.

Right? It really added to the shock value of the film.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Disembowel → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "embowel" (from Old French *emboueler*, meaning to remove the entrails). The word describes the act of removing the entrails or bowels from a body, effectively taking them apart.

Memory Tip

Think of taking something 'apart' ('dis-') and 'removing the entrails' ('embowel') — that's what disembowel means.

Visually Confused Words