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analyze

[an-l-ahyz]
verb (used with object), an·a·lyzed, an·a·lyz·ing.
  1. to separate (a material or abstract entity) into constituent parts or elements; determine the elements or essential features of (opposed to synthesize): to analyze an argument.
  2. to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of: to analyze a poem.
  3. to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.
  4. to subject to mathematical, chemical, grammatical, etc., analysis.
  5. to psychoanalyze: a patient who has been analyzed by two therapists.
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Also especially British, an·a·lyse.

Origin of analyze

1595–1605; back formation from analysis (or from its Latin or Gk sources), with -ys- taken as -ize
Related formsan·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivean·a·lyz·a·bil·i·ty, nounan·a·ly·za·tion, nounmis·an·a·lyze, verb (used with object), mis·an·a·lyzed, mis·an·a·lyz·ing.non·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivenon·an·a·lyzed, adjectiveo·ver·an·a·lyze, verb, o·ver·an·a·lyzed, o·ver·an·a·lyz·ing.re·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectivere·an·a·lyze, verb (used with object), re·an·a·lyzed, re·an·a·lyz·ing.un·an·a·lyz·a·ble, adjectiveun·an·a·lyz·a·bly, adverbun·an·a·lyzed, adjectiveun·an·a·lyz·ing, adjectivewell-an·a·lyzed, adjective

Synonyms

1. break down. 2. explicate.

Antonyms

1. synthesize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for analyzation

analyze

v.

c.1600, "to dissect," from French analyser, from analyse (see analysis). Literature sense is attested from 1610s; meaning in chemistry dates from 1660s. General sense of "to examine closely" dates from 1809; psychological sense is from 1909. Related: Analyzed; analyzing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper