disjecta membra

American  

[dis-jek-tuh mem-bruh] / dɪsˈdʒɛk tə ˈmɛm brə /

plural noun

1. scattered members; disjointed portions or parts: applied to fragments of poetry or fragmentary quotations.

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disjecta membra British  

/ dɪsˈdʒɛktə ˈmɛmbrə /

plural noun

1. scattered fragments, esp parts taken from a writing or writings

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Etymology

Origin of disjecta membra

< Latin, alteration of disjectī membra poētae limbs of a dismembered poet, a phrase in Horace

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

disjecta membra

"Professor Winterthorn's Journey" is full of the disjecta membra of idle small talk, and in the following sequence, "The Suit of Mistress Quickly", Reid has written what is almost a piece of sound poetry.

From The Guardian ● Sep. 28, 2012

It is high time this pseudo poetry of disjecta membra was put in its place, as you have done in the fine peroration of the article's last two paragraphs.

From Time Magazine Archive

This work of gathering the disjecta membra of Assyriological science is essential to future progress.

From The Religion of Babylonia and Assyria by Morris Jastrow

The disjecta membra of the raid were now assembled, but the task of the British columns was, apparently, greatly facilitated.

From A Handbook of the Boer War With General Map of South Africa and 18 Sketch Maps and Plans by

Why, if it comes to that, the very bread itself comprises generally a whole entomological cabinet, and contains in fragments the disjecta membra of specimens enough to stock entire glass cases at severe South Kensington.

From Science in Arcady by Grant Allen