analysis

[ uh-nal-uh-sis ]

/ əˈnæl ə sɪs /

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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.

Nearby words

analogy test, analphabet, analphabetic, analysand, analyse, analysis, analysis of variance, analysis situs, analyst, analyt., analyte

Origin of analysis

1575–85; < New Latin < Greek, equivalent to analȳ́(ein) to loosen up (ana- ana- + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis

Related forms

mis·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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
"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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
CAREFULLY SEPARATE OPINION AND ANALYSIS FROM STRAIGHT NEWS STORIES... AND CLEARLY LABEL EVERYTHING... 8.
Jim Lehrer's Stealthy Exit|Robert MacNeil|May 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Because Analysis can only explain to you a little about dead things, like stones—inorganic things as they are called.
Madam How and Lady Why|Charles Kingsley
Analysis of desire thus reveals the falsity of theories which magnify it at the expense of intelligence.
Human Nature and Conduct|John Dewey
Analysis by the prism alone has quite doubled the knowledge that was previously available.
The Hills and the Vale|Richard Jefferies
Analysis of them shows that these salts undergo hydrolysis, and lose half their sulphuric acid.
The Dyeing of Cotton Fabrics|Franklin Beech
Analysis enfeebles the tact and spontaneity of feeling which constitute its strongest safeguard.
Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7)|John Addington Symonds

British Dictionary definitions for analysis

analysis

/ (əˈnælɪsɪs) /

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

Medicine definitions for analysis

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.

Science definitions for analysis

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.