mutilated

Mutilated is an adjective and the past participle of the verb mutilate. It describes something that has been severely damaged, disfigured, or altered from its original state, often rendering it unusable or unrecognizable. The term is used across medical, forensic, legal, and everyday language, typically to convey the extent of damage rather than the cause.

In living beings, mutilation implies intentional or severe injury that maims or disfigures a part of the body. In non-living contexts, currency, documents, artworks, or machinery may be described as mutilated when they are torn, cut, or otherwise damaged to the point that their original form or function is compromised. Many countries have procedures for recognizing, redeeming, or disposing of mutilated currency, and similar rules may apply to damaged coins or notes.

In forensics and investigations, "mutilated remains" describes bodies that have been severely damaged, often dismembered, though reports avoid graphic detail. The term is neutral in style but carries strong implications about violence or mishap. Ethically and legally, deliberate mutilation is treated as a serious crime in most jurisdictions, with penalties calibrated to the severity of the act and to the policy context.