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analysis

[uh-nal-uh-sis]
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noun, plural a·nal·y·ses [uh-nal-uh-seez] /əˈnæl əˌsiz/.
  1. the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (opposed to synthesis).
  2. this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations: the grammatical analysis of a sentence.
  3. a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process: The paper published an analysis of the political situation.
  4. a philosophical method of exhibiting complex concepts or propositions as compounds or functions of more basic ones.
  5. Mathematics.
    1. an investigation based on the properties of numbers.
    2. the discussion of a problem by algebra, as opposed to geometry.
    3. the branch of mathematics consisting of calculus and its higher developments.
    4. a system of calculation, as combinatorial analysis or vector analysis.
    5. a method of proving a proposition by assuming the result and working backward to something that is known to be true.Compare synthesis(def 4).
  6. Chemistry.
    1. intentionally produced decomposition or separation of materials into their ingredients or elements, as to find their kind or quantity.
    2. the ascertainment of the kind or amount of one or more of the constituents of materials, whether obtained in separate form or not.Compare qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis.
  7. psychoanalysis.
  8. Computers. systems analysis.
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Origin of analysis

1575–85; < New Latin < Greek, equivalent to analȳ́(ein) to loosen up (ana- ana- + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis
Related formsmis·a·nal·y·sis, noun, plural mis·a·nal·y·ses.o·ver·a·nal·y·sis, noun, plural o·ver·a·nal·y·ses.re·a·nal·y·sis, noun, plural re·a·nal·y·ses.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for analysis

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Analysis searched every wound of humanity, in order to expose its horror.

    Doctor Pascal

    Emile Zola

  • He punched the private wire to Analysis for the fourth time that morning.

    PRoblem

    Alan Edward Nourse

  • In a corner office they found the Analysis man, pale but jubilant.

    PRoblem

    Alan Edward Nourse

  • Analysis, first of all, and egotism, and therefore no faith.

  • Analysis and record, for future use, of lessons learned by experience.

    Civics and Health

    William H. Allen

British Dictionary definitions for analysis

analysis

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. the division of a physical or abstract whole into its constituent parts to examine or determine their relationship or valueCompare synthesis (def. 1)
  2. a statement of the results of this
  3. short for psychoanalysis
  4. chem
    1. the decomposition of a substance into its elements, radicals, or other constituents in order to determine the kinds of constituents present (qualitative analysis) or the amount of each constituent (quantitative analysis)
    2. the result obtained by such a determination
  5. linguistics the use of word order together with word function to express syntactic relations in a language, as opposed to the use of inflectionsCompare synthesis (def. 4)
  6. maths the branch of mathematics principally concerned with the properties of functions, largely arising out of calculus
  7. philosophy (in the writings of Kant) the separation of a concept from another that contains itCompare synthesis (def. 6a)
  8. in the last analysis, in the final analysis or in the ultimate analysis after everything has been given due consideration
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Word Origin

C16: from New Latin, from Greek analusis, literally: a dissolving, from analuein, from ana- + luein to loosen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for analysis

n.

1580s, "resolution of anything complex into simple elements" (opposite of synthesis), from Medieval Latin analysis (15c.), from Greek analysis "a breaking up, a loosening, releasing," noun of action from analyein "unloose, release, set free; to loose a ship from its moorings," in Aristotle, "to analyze," from ana "up, throughout" (see ana-) + lysis "a loosening," from lyein "to unfasten" (see lose). Psychological sense is from 1890. Phrase in the final (or last) analysis (1844), translates French en dernière analyse.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
analysis in Medicine

analysis

(ə-năl′ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. a•nal•y•ses (-sēz′)
  1. The separation of a whole into its constituent parts for individual study.
  2. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements to determine either their nature or proportions.
  3. The stated findings of such a separation or determination.
  4. Psychoanalysis.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
analysis in Science

analysis

[ə-năl′ĭ-sĭs]
  1. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements, usually by chemical means, for the study and identification of each component.♦ Qualitative analysis determines what substances are present in a compound.♦ Quantitative analysis determines how much of each substance is present in a compound.
  2. A branch of mathematics concerned with limits and convergence and principally involving differential calculus, integral calculus, sequences, and series.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.