bloodletting

== English == === Alternative forms === blood-letting === Etymology === From blood +‎ letting, equal to bloodlet +‎ -ing. === Pronunciation === === Noun === bloodletting (plural bloodlettings) (historical, medicine) The archaic practice of treating illness by removing some blood, believed to be tainted, from the stricken person. Synonym: bleeding (by extension) The diminishment of any resource with the hope that this will lead to a positive effect. A circumstance, such as a battle, where a large amount of blood is likely to be spilled through violence. Synonym: bloodshed ==== Related terms ==== bloodlet ==== Translations ==== === Verb === bloodletting present participle and gerund of bloodlet