noun
vivisection
viv-ih-SEK-shun/ˌvɪvɪˈsekʃn/
Surgery on a living animal for scientific research.
The historical research scene depicts vivisection under anesthesia and a surgical drape.
Etymology
The pieces express cutting into something alive. The word names dissection performed on a living animal to investigate bodily processes that could not otherwise be observed scientifically.
In context
vivisection has not gone out of style
More examples
- The archive contains records of experiments involving vivisection.
- The reformer campaigned against vivisection in animal research.
- The course examined how laws governing vivisection developed.
Forms
vivisection
Similar words
- dissection
- Dissection cuts apart tissue for study; vivisection specifically involves a living animal.
- animal experimentation
- Animal experimentation includes many procedures; vivisection specifically involves surgical intervention.