dismember

[dis-mem-ber]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dismember ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to deprive of limbs; divide limb from limb: The ogre dismembered his victims before he ate them.

to divide into parts; cut to pieces; mutilate.

to reduce, reorganize, or discontinue the services or parts of (a company, government agency, etc.): Our business was dismembered by the conglomerate that bought it.

Nearby words

Origin of dismember

1250–1300; Middle English dismembren < Anglo-French, Old French desmembrer, equivalent to des- dis-¹ + -membrer, verbal derivative of membre member

Related formsdis·mem·ber·er, noundis·mem·ber·ment, nounnon·dis·mem·ber·ment, noun

Can be confuseddisembodied disemboweled dismembered

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for dismember

He told reporters how his assailants had recognized him, set upon him with knives and tried to dismember his wrists.
Egypt’s Military Holiday Marred By Deaths|Alastair Beach|October 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The headlines were gruesome: after shooting and killing him, she had used a chain saw to dismember his body.
My First Autopsy Report: Excerpt From David Berg’s ‘Run, Brother, Run’`|David Berg|June 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is easy to get a handle on it if you dismember your victim.
Human Head, Hands Found Near Hollywood Sign|Christine Pelisek|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Used to dismember the body of a girl who was killed in a family quarrel.
A Catalogue of Early Pennsylvania and Other Firearms and Edged Weapons at "Restless Oaks"|Henry W. Shoemaker

After all, why dismember his library for the sake of saving a few shillings on carriage?
The Whirlpool|George Gissing
They're weary of our existing government and are about to dismember or overthrow it?
Plays|Susan Glaspell
John Henry's plot to dismember the Union disclosed to congress.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Doc, you dismember that leg, and I will attend to the stomach and the upper part of the body.
Peck's Bad Boy and His Pa|George W. Peck

British Dictionary definitions for dismember

dismember

verb (tr)

to remove the limbs or members of

to cut to pieces

to divide or partition (something, such as an empire)

Derived Formsdismemberer, noundismemberment, noun

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 dismember

dismember

c.1300, from Old French desmembrer (11c.), from Medieval Latin dismembrare "tear limb from limb; castrate," from Latin de- "take away" + membrum "limb" (see member). Related: Dismembered; dismembering.

Medicine definitions for dismember

dismember

[dĭs-mĕm′bər]

v.

To amputate a limb or a part of a limb.

Related formsdis•mem′ber•ment n.

dismember

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of dismember

Examples from the Web for dismember

dismember

verb (tr)

dismember

dismember

v.