dismember
[ dis-mem-ber ]
/ dɪsˈmɛm bər /
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
dismally, dismantle, dismast, dismay, disme, dismember, dismemberment, dismiss, dismissal, dismission, dismissive
Origin of dismember
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
British Dictionary definitions for dismember
dismember
/ (dɪsˈmɛmbə) /
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
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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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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