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in·fib·u·late

(ĭn-fĭbyə-lāt′)

tr.v. in·fib·u·lat·ed, in·fib·u·lat·ing, in·fib·u·lates

To close off or obstruct the genitals of, especially by sewing together the labia majora in females or fastening the prepuce in males, so as to prevent sexual intercourse.

[Latin īnfībulāre, īnfībulāt-, to clasp with a brooch, infibulate : in-, on; see IN-² + fībula, brooch, clasp; see FIBULA.]

in·fib′u·lation n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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