bloodletting \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English bloodleting, from blood + leting, gerund of leten to let — more at let 1. a.: venesection b.: a draining away (as of strength or character) < the intellectual bloodletting Germany has suffered, owing to the emigration of many of her greatest writers — H.F.Garten > 2.: bloodshed