Definitions

1. verb

To cut off (a part of the body) in order to escape from an enemy, especially an insect shedding a limb to distract a predator.

“Some species of spiders can autotomise their legs to distract predators and escape.”

2. noun

The act of cutting off (a part of the body) in order to escape from an enemy, especially an insect shedding a limb to distract a predator.

“The remarkable ability of some spiders to autotomise is an important survival strategy.”