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

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.

Other Word Forms

• dissection noun
• dissector noun
• dissectible adjective
• redissect verb (used with object)
• self-dissecting 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

To reveal how all production processes work and illuminate the choreography of efficiency, “Origins” dissects a variety of examples, including the early production of nails, books, lightbulbs and cars.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

D4vd’s fans are dissecting his songs for clues, after the badly decomposed body of a 15-year-old girl was found in the trunk of a Tesla he owned.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Amused at his anatomy being dissected in front of him, Elordi claps back, mock-defensively: “He was grotesque to look at, but he was somewhat gifted. A deformed skinny freak.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Shortly after, Texas Scorecard, a conservative website followed by many state legislators, wrote about Harrison’s efforts, naming the professor and further dissecting her syllabus.

Read more on Salon

Now the two spend their days on social media dissecting the pros and cons of every smell.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• examine 
• explore 
• inspect 
• investigate 
• scrutinize