dismember

[ dis-mem-ber ]

verb (used with object)

1. to deprive of limbs; divide limb from limb:

   The ogre dismembered his victims before he ate them.

2. to divide into parts; cut to pieces; mutilate.
3. to reduce, reorganize, or discontinue the services or parts of (a company, government agency, etc.):

   Our business was dismembered by the conglomerate that bought it.

dismember

/ dɪsˈmɛmbə /

verb

1. to remove the limbs or members of
2. to cut to pieces
3. to divide or partition (something, such as an empire)

Derived Forms

• disˈmemberer, noun
• disˈmemberment, noun

Other Words From

• dis·member·er noun
• dis·member·ment noun
• nondis·member·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismember¹

1250–1300; Middle English dismembren < Anglo-French, Old French desmembrer, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -membrer, verbal derivative of membre member

Example Sentences

Unlike electrical work or cabinet construction, paint is statistically less likely to kill, injure or dismember you.

From Los Angeles Times

They also found a machete they "believed was being used to dismember the victims", and nine sacks like the ones used to dispose of the bodies.

From BBC

Unlike electrical work or cabinet construction, paint is statistically less likely to kill, injure or dismember you.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors have said that starting Jan. 1 and for several days after, Brian Walshe made multiple online searches for “dismemberment and best ways to dispose of a body,” “how long before a body starts to smell” and “hacksaw best tool to dismember.”

From Seattle Times

In standing by and letting Russia dismember Ukraine, the GOP has sent a message of profound weakness to Putin and his dictator cronies in Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• dismantle
• maim
• mutilate
• sever
• sunder