Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

comminute

[kom-uh-noot, -nyoot]
See more synonyms for comminute on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), com·mi·nut·ed, com·mi·nut·ing.
  1. to pulverize; triturate.
Show More
adjective
  1. comminuted; divided into small parts.
  2. powdered; pulverized.
Show More

Origin of comminute

1620–30; < Latin comminūtus, past participle of comminuere, equivalent to com- com- + minuere to lessen, akin to minor minor
Related formscom·mi·nu·tion, nounun·com·mi·nut·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for comminute

Historical Examples

  • Likewise the double teeth or grinders, either drop out, or rot away; so as now to be too few remaining to comminute solid food.

    Medica Sacra

    Richard Mead

  • That the stomach is fully able to comminute the food may be proved by the following calculation.

British Dictionary definitions for comminute

comminute

verb
  1. to break (a bone) into several small fragments
  2. to divide (property) into small lots
  3. (tr) to pulverize
Show More
Derived Formscomminution, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin comminuere, from com- (intensive) + minuere to reduce; related to minor
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 comminute

v.

1620s, from Latin comminutus, past participle of comminuere "to lessen, break into smaller parts," from com- "together" (see com-) + minuere "to make smaller" (see minus). Related: Comminuted; comminuting.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
comminute in Medicine

comminute

(kŏm′ə-nōōt′)
v.
  1. To reduce to powder; to pulverize.
Show More
Related formscom′mi•nu′tion n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.