dissect

[ dih-sekt, dahy- ]
/ dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR dissect ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to cut apart (an animal body, plant, etc.) to examine the structure, relation of parts, or the like.
to examine minutely part by part; analyze: to dissect an idea.

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Origin of dissect

1600–10; < Latin dissectus (past participle of dissecāre to cut up), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + sec- cut + -tus past participle suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM dissect

dis·sec·ti·ble, adjectivedis·sec·tor, nounre·dis·sect, verb (used with object)self-dis·sect·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissect

bisect dissect

Words nearby dissect

dissatisfactory, dissatisfied, dissatisfy, dissave, disseat, dissect, dissected, dissecting aneurysm, dissecting cellulitis, dissection, dissection tubercle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to dissect

explore, scrutinize, inspect, examine, investigate, anatomize, slice, divide, section, disjoin, dismember, cut, quarter, part, sunder, disjoint, operate, sever, dissever, dichotomize

Example sentences from the Web for dissect

British Dictionary definitions for dissect

dissect
/ (dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ-) /

verb

to cut open and examine the structure of (a dead animal or plant)
(tr) to examine critically and minutely

Derived forms of dissect

dissectible, adjectivedissection, noundissector, noun

Word Origin for dissect

C17: from Latin dissecāre, from dis- 1 + secāre to cut
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

Medical definitions for dissect

dissect
[ dĭ-sĕkt′, dī-, dī′sĕkt′ ]

v.

To cut apart or separate tissue, especially for anatomical study.
In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for dissect

dissect
[ dĭ-sĕkt′, dī′sĕkt′ ]

To cut apart or separate body tissues or organs, especially for anatomical study.
In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.