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

I suspect we will spend many years dissecting what happened that put Donald Trump back in the White House this year.

From Salon

Pundit after pundit has dissected United's lack of co-ordinated pressing, with Sky's Jamie Carragher labelling Ten Hag's side as "one of the worst coached teams" he had seen.

From BBC

“I still grapple with the guilt of having dissected a man who may have wanted to rest in peace,” she wrote.

From Salon

Modern-day fandom can be intense, so much so that the minuscule details of an actor’s personal life are dissected — a topic that was skewered in “The Other Two.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• examine
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• scrutinize