anatomy

[ uh-nat-uh-mee ]

noun

, plural a·nat·o·mies.

1. the science dealing with the structure of animals and plants.
2. the structure of an animal or plant, or of any of its parts.
3. dissection of all or part of an animal or plant in order to study its structure.
4. a plant or animal that has been or will be dissected, or a model of such a dissected organism.
5. a skeleton.
6. Informal. the human body.
7. an analysis or minute examination.

anatomy

/ əˈnætəmɪ /

noun

1. the science concerned with the physical structure of animals and plants
2. the physical structure of an animal or plant or any of its parts
3. a book or treatise on this subject
4. dissection of an animal or plant
5. any detailed analysis

   the anatomy of a crime

6. informal.
   the human body

anatomy

/ ə-năt′ə-mē /

1. The structure of an organism or any of its parts.
2. The scientific study of the shape and structure of organisms and their parts.

anatomy

1. The structure of an animal or plant; also, the study of this structure through techniques such as microscopic observation and dissection. ( Compare morphology and physiology .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of anatomy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin anatomia, from Greek anatom(ḗ) “dissection” (from ana- ana- + tomḗ “a cutting,” noun derivative of témnein “to cut”) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of anatomy¹

C14: from Latin anatomia, from Greek anatomē, from anatemnein to cut up, from ana- + temnein to cut

Example Sentences

Dr Guillermo Navalón, the co-lead author of the study, said he was "awestruck" by the "one-of-a-kind" fossil which "lets us fully appreciate the anatomy of this early bird".

From BBC

Krasinski's title follows last year's popular winner, "Grey's Anatomy" veteran Patrick Dempsey.

From Salon

In 2023, “CoComelon” ranked fifth on Nielsen’s list of top 10 overall streaming programs, bested only by the legal drama “Suits,” the Australian animated series “Bluey,” the long-running procedural “NCIS” and the medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy.”

From Los Angeles Times

Just last year, “Anatomy of a Fall” earned nominations for picture and original screenplay after being passed over by France.

From Los Angeles Times

Working with cadavers in an anatomy lab is often a humbling and monumental moment in a doctor’s career.

From Salon