dissect

American  

[dih-sekt, dahy-] / dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ- /

verb (used with object)

1. to cut apart (an animal body, plant, etc.) to examine the structure, relation of parts, or the like.

   Synonyms:

   anatomize

2. to examine minutely part by part; analyze.

   to dissect an idea.

   Synonyms:

   anatomize

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dissect British  

/ dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ- /

verb

1. to cut open and examine the structure of (a dead animal or plant)

2. (tr) to examine critically and minutely

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dissect Scientific  

/ dĭ-sĕkt′,dī′sĕkt′ /

1. To cut apart or separate body tissues or organs, especially for anatomical study.

2. In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.

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Other Word Forms

• dissectible adjective
• dissection noun
• dissector noun
• redissect verb (used with object)
• self-dissecting adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Back at the pub, a huddle of players dissect where the tactical battles were won and lost, before the women's Tyne-Wear derby kicks off on the big screen.

From BBC

"But if you physically dissect the animal, you lose information that can tell the full story."

From Science Daily

Markets will also dissect the Fed’s meeting minutes on Wednesday and U.S. purchasing managers’ data on Friday.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is so much to unpack, dissect, consider and meditate upon.

From Salon

Maybe the useful thing now is to dissect the collective dishonesty of the climate crowd.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• examine
• explore
• inspect
• investigate
• scrutinize