noun
bloodletting
Bloodletting (noun) means the old medical practice of draining blood from a patient believed to cure illness. Example: “Bloodletting was a common medical treatment until the 19th century.”
noun
1
The old medical practice of draining blood from a patient believed to cure illness.
"Bloodletting was a common medical treatment until the 19th century."
2
(figurative) A painful reduction of something, such as staff or funding, in hopes of improving the situation.
"The company's budget cuts led to a painful round of bloodletting in the marketing department."
How to use bloodletting
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically, draining blood as a treatment; today often used figuratively for painful cutbacks.
Common pairings
a round of bloodletting
corporate bloodletting
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Word forms
- Plural
- bloodlettings
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_____ was a common medical treatment until the 19th century.
Etymology
From "blood" plus "letting" (from the verb "let," meaning to release) — literally, releasing blood.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bloodletting
petting
setting
wetting
getting
letting
betting
netting
vetting
abetting
fretting
upsetting
resetting
See all rhymes for bloodletting →
Frequently asked questions
What does “bloodletting” mean?
The word “bloodletting” means the old medical practice of draining blood from a patient believed to cure illness. In plain terms, historically, draining blood as a treatment; today often used figuratively for painful cutbacks.
How do you use “bloodletting” in a sentence?
Here is “bloodletting” used in a sentence: “Bloodletting was a common medical treatment until the 19th century.”
What part of speech is “bloodletting”?
“Bloodletting” is a noun.
How many meanings does “bloodletting” have?
“Bloodletting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the old medical practice of draining blood from a patient believed to cure illness.
