disarticulate

American  

[dis-ahr-tik-yuh-leyt] / ˌdɪs ɑrˈtɪk yəˌleɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

disarticulated, disarticulating

1. to make or become disjointed, as the bones of a body or stems of a plant.

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disarticulate British  

/ ˌdɪsɑːˈtɪkjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to separate or cause to separate at the joints, esp those of bones

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Other Word Forms

• disarticulation noun
• disarticulator noun

Etymology

Origin of disarticulate

First recorded in 1820–30; dis- ¹ + articulate

Example Sentences

Attention! isn't trying to disarticulate the whole idea of ordered writing.

From The Guardian • Jun. 21, 2013

I saw my body like an empty sack Tossed disarticulate on grated floors.

From Perpetual Light : a memorial by Benét, William Rose

To a man in my disarticulate situation people don't write except to express the kindness of their hearts.

From Mary Wollaston by Webster, Henry Kitchell

If, however, the terminal branch of the dorsalis pedis artery be wounded, it may be necessary to disarticulate the first metatarsal to secure it rather than trust to compression to stop the bleeding.

From A Manual of the Operations of Surgery For the Use of Senior Students, House Surgeons, and Junior Practitioners by Bell, Joseph

Tendrils which have caught nothing soon shrink and wither; but in some species of Bignonia they disarticulate and fall off like leaves in autumn.

From The Movements and Habits of Climbing Plants by Darwin, Charles