Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CIR'CUM-CISE, v.t. [sur'cumsize; L. circumcido, circum, around, and cido, to cut; Fr. circoncire; Sp. circoncidar; It. circoncidere.]

1. To cut off the prepuce or foreskin of males; a ceremony or rite in the Jewish and Mahommedan religions. The word is applied also to a practice among some nations of performing the like operation upon females.
2. To put off the sins of the flesh; to become spiritual or holy. – Col. ii. 11.