dissect

[ dih-sekt, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ- /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

dissatisfactory, dissatisfied, dissatisfy, dissave, disseat, dissect, dissected, dissecting aneurysm, dissecting cellulitis, dissection, dissection tubercle

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

SYNONYMS FOR dissect

1, 2 anatomize.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dissect ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

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

Can be confused

bisect dissect

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

Examples from the Web for dissect

We can dissect it and determine what the cops did wrong, maybe what Garner could have done differently.
Chicago’s Cops Don’t Even Get Investigated for Shooting People in the Back|Justin Glawe|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Right now, each staff researcher is able to dissect 160 mosquitoes an hour.
The Robot That Could Kill Malaria|Eleanor Clift|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields dissect the second-season premiere of the best spy show on TV.
‘The Americans’ Showrunners Dissect the Secrets of Season 2|Andrew Romano|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The exhibition goes on to dissect the recognizable aesthetic of paparazzi photos.
Exposed: Paparazzi vs. the Stars Over the Past 50 Years|Sarah Moroz|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We dissect the most insane accusations, from a cell phone lost at a crack den to a hint of heroin.
Speed Read: 474 Pages of Rob Ford|Nico Hines|December 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
We will, therefore, dissect a little deeper, following the Professor's track of demonstration.
The Philosophy of Natural Theology|William Jackson
But it would have been hard, even for a stony savant, to dissect that adorable personality!
Margarita's Soul|Ingraham Lovell
The most difficult parts to dissect are the organs connected with the mouth and rostrum.
The Flea|Harold Russell
Knives are sufficient for the table and the market; but for the purposes of science we must dissect with the lancet.
Literary Remains (1)|Coleridge
Dissect a Hibernianism, and you will generally find two ideas, perfectly sensible, but not agreeing together.
English Pharisees and French Crocodiles|Max O'Rell

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

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

Medicine 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.

Science 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.