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Glite Dictionary
nail removal

nail removal

9.9
Taking out a person's fingernails or toenails to hurt them during torture
  • noun
  • Offensive
translation icon : arrancamiento de uñas
  • International laws strictly prohibit nail removal as a form of torture.

Examples

  • The report documented cases of nail removal used during interrogations.

  • He experienced severe pain during nail removal.

  • Historical texts describe nail removal as a method of extracting confessions from prisoners.

  • The nail removal process was excruciating.

  • Historical texts describe nail removal as a method of extracting confessions from prisoners.

  • International laws strictly prohibit nail removal as a form of torture.

  • The report documented cases of nail removal used during interrogations.

Synonyms

nail pulling
vsnail removal
  • Offensive
9.9

Removing someone's fingernails or toenails to cause a lot of pain

has the same meaning but is expressed with a different phrase

How Severe

nail removal
  • Offensive
9.9
onychomycosis
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

nail removal singular
nail removals plural

Morphology

nail + removal

The compound 'nail removal' is directly composed from 'nail' (the horny plate on a finger or toe) and 'removal' (the action of taking away), so its meaning as the action of removing nails is immediately derivable. A B1 learner who knows both words would understand it refers to physically removing fingernails or toenails (and, in context, may describe a form of torture), making it compositional and transparent.

Etymology

The noun nail removal names the cruel act of pulling out someone's nails, meaning their fingernails or toenails, to cause pain. So the phrase now refers to this method used to force a 'confession'.