comminute
[ kom-uh-noot, -nyoot ]
/ ˈkɒm əˌnut, -ˌnyut /
verb (used with object), com·mi·nut·ed, com·mi·nut·ing.
to pulverize; triturate.
adjective
comminuted; divided into small parts.
powdered; pulverized.
Nearby words
commination, comminatory, commines, commines, philippe de, commingle, comminute, comminuted, comminuted fracture, comminutor, commis, commiserate
Origin of comminute
Related formscom·mi·nu·tion, nounun·com·mi·nut·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for comminute
That the stomach is fully able to comminute the food may be proved by the following calculation.
The Evolution of Modern Medicine|William OslerLikewise 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
British Dictionary definitions for comminute
comminute
/ (ˈkɒmɪˌnjuːt) /
verb
to break (a bone) into several small fragments
to divide (property) into small lots
(tr) to pulverize
Derived Formscomminution, noun
Word Origin for comminute
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
comminute
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for comminute
comminute
[ kŏm′ə-nōōt′ ]
v.
To reduce to powder; to pulverize.
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.