analysis

[uh-nal-uh-sis]

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noun, plural a·nal·y·ses [uh-nal-uh-seez] /əˈnæl əˌsiz/.

the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (opposed to synthesis).

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.

a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process: The paper published an analysis of the political situation.

a philosophical method of exhibiting complex concepts or propositions as compounds or functions of more basic ones.

Mathematics.

an investigation based on the properties of numbers.
the discussion of a problem by algebra, as opposed to geometry.
the branch of mathematics consisting of calculus and its higher developments.
a system of calculation, as combinatorial analysis or vector analysis.
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).

Chemistry.

intentionally produced decomposition or separation of materials into their ingredients or elements, as to find their kind or quantity.
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.

psychoanalysis.

Computers. systems analysis.

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. 2019

Related Words for analysis

search, study, scrutiny, investigation, inquiry, test, reasoning, interpretation, judgment, summary, finding, report, opinion, evaluation, breakdown, division, partition, subdivision, dissolution, dissection

Examples from the Web for analysis

Contemporary Examples of analysis

Analysis of the 2014 vote showed that Democrats had been hurt by an abrupt drop in Latino turnout.
How Ted Cruz Can Win in 2016
David Frum
October 25, 2013
"It could be anything," said Costin Raiu, director of Kaspersky Lab's Global Research and Analysis Team.
The Other War(s) Against Iran
Ali Gharib
September 18, 2012
Analysis of the fact that Ryan can lie the way he does requires the skills of a psychologist.
Michael Tomasky on Paul Ryan’s Convention Speech and His Web of Lies
Michael Tomasky
August 30, 2012
CAREFULLY SEPARATE OPINION AND ANALYSIS FROM STRAIGHT NEWS STORIES... AND CLEARLY LABEL EVERYTHING... 8.
Jim Lehrer's Stealthy Exit
Robert MacNeil
May 13, 2011
Daniel Sullivan and von Wachter, Till (2009): Job Displacement and Mortality: An Analysis Using Administrative Data.
15 Signs You'll Live Forever
Anneli Rufus
July 27, 2010

Historical Examples of analysis

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.
Mother Earth, Vol. 1 No. 1, March 1906
Various
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)

the division of a physical or abstract whole into its constituent parts to examine or determine their relationship or valueCompare synthesis (def. 1)

a statement of the results of this

short for psychoanalysis

chem

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)
the result obtained by such a determination

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)

maths the branch of mathematics principally concerned with the properties of functions, largely arising out of calculus

philosophy (in the writings of Kant) the separation of a concept from another that contains itCompare synthesis (def. 6a)

in the last analysis, in the final analysis or in the ultimate analysis after everything has been given due consideration

Word Origin for analysis

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

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.

analysis in Medicine

analysis

[ə-năl′ĭ-sĭs]

n. pl. a•nal•y•ses (-sēz′)

The separation of a whole into its constituent parts for individual study.

The separation of a substance into its constituent elements to determine either their nature or proportions.

The stated findings of such a separation or determination.

Psychoanalysis.

analysis in Science

analysis

[ə-năl′ĭ-sĭs]

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.

A branch of mathematics concerned with limits and convergence and principally involving differential calculus, integral calculus, sequences, and series.