dissect

[ dih-sekt, dahy- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut apart (an animal body, plant, etc.) to examine the structure, relation of parts, or the like.

   Synonyms: anatomize

2. to examine minutely part by part; analyze:

   to dissect an idea.

   Synonyms: anatomize

dissect

/ dɪˈsɛkt; daɪ- /

verb

1. to cut open and examine the structure of (a dead animal or plant)
2. tr to examine critically and minutely

dissect

/ dĭ-sĕkt′,dī′sĕkt′ /

1. To cut apart or separate body tissues or organs, especially for anatomical study.
2. In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.

Derived Forms

• disˈsection, noun
• disˈsector, noun
• disˈsectible, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·secti·ble adjective
• dis·sector noun
• redis·sect verb (used with object)
• self-dis·secting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissect¹

1600–10; < Latin dissectus (past participle of dissecāre to cut up), equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + sec- cut + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dissect¹

C17: from Latin dissecāre, from dis- ¹+ secāre to cut

Example Sentences

Laid up in a frigid L.A. apartment with a nasty case of bronchitis, glued to cable news from sunup to midnight, I spent countless hours before, during and after election day 2020 watching wonks like MSNBC’s Steve Kornacki and CNN’s John King and Phil Mattingly dissect turnout: early and day-of, in-person and mail-in, not only in the swing states that decided the outcome, but also the swing districts, the swing precincts.

From Los Angeles Times

They dissect the truths and myths surrounding Black male voters and the upcoming election.

From Slate

In this season, Lawrence says they are starting to dissect what makes someone want to become a therapist.

From Los Angeles Times

I could dissect it, but it just grabs me as soon as I hear it.

From Los Angeles Times

"Moving forward, Corey and Amy plan to dissect the mechanisms by which sea robins develop sensory legs for understanding where limbs come and how they specialize for various forms of sensation," Bellono said.

From Salon

Related Words

• examine
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• scrutinize