anatomize

[ uh-nat-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, a·nat·o·mized, a·nat·o·miz·ing.

1. to cut apart (an animal or plant) to show or examine the position, structure, and relation of the parts; display the anatomy of; dissect.
2. to examine in great detail; analyze minutely:

   The couple anatomized their new neighbor.

anatomize

/ əˈnætəˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to dissect (an animal or plant)
2. to examine in minute detail

Derived Forms

• aˈnatoˌmizer, noun
• aˌnatomiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• a·nato·miza·ble adjective
• a·nato·mi·zation noun
• a·nato·mizer noun
• una·nato·miza·ble adjective
• una·nato·mized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anatomize¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French anatomiser or < Medieval Latin anatomizāre. See anatomy, -ize

Example Sentences

Her strangest mood of the tender cruelty was when the passion to anatomize him beset her.

From Project Gutenberg

Old Burton will rise from his grave, if there be any virtue in Pythagoreanism, to anatomize these poems.

From Project Gutenberg

To probe the stars was to him a simpler process than to anatomize the globe upon which he stood.

From Project Gutenberg

I offer not to counsel them who meet in consultation for my body now, but I open my infirmities, I anatomize my body to them.

From Project Gutenberg

Who shall anatomize motives, or who shall be skilful enough to trace the springs of one human emotion?

From Project Gutenberg