comminute
Americanverb (used with object)
adjective
-
comminuted; divided into small parts.
-
powdered; pulverized.
verb
-
to break (a bone) into several small fragments
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to divide (property) into small lots
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(tr) to pulverize
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of comminute
1620–30; < Latin comminūtus, past participle of comminuere, equivalent to com- com- + minuere to lessen, akin to minor minor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
So this question becomes urgent: Why, the absolute's own total vision of things being so rational, was it necessary to comminute it into all these coexisting inferior fragmentary visions?
From A Pluralistic Universe Hibbert Lectures at Manchester College on the Present Situation in Philosophy by James, William
Likewise the double teeth or grinders, either drop out, or rot away; so as now to be too few remaining to comminute solid food.
From Medica Sacra or a Commentary on on the Most Remarkable Diseases Mentioned in the Holy Scriptures by Mead, Richard
That the stomach is fully able to comminute the food may be proved by the following calculation.
From The Evolution of Modern Medicine A Series of Lectures Delivered at Yale University on the Silliman Foundation in April, 1913 by Osler, William
The soft and yielding texture of this organ—the stomach—indicates that it is not designed to crush and comminute solid articles of food.
From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Hutchison, Joseph Chrisman
The stomach is well muscled and churns the food about, helping to comminute it, but it can not take the place of the teeth.
From Maintaining Health Formerly Health and Efficiency by Alsaker, R. L.
Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to the tibia and fibula in his right leg, which means both bones broke into at least three pieces and broke through the skin.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 8, 2021
The fractures were described as comminuted, which meant the bones were broken in several places.
From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2021
Woods suffered comminuted open fractures to both the tibia and fibula in his right leg, which means both bones broke into at least three pieces and broke through the skin.
From Washington Post ● May 27, 2021
He suffered comminuted open fractures to the tibia and fibula, which means both major bones in his lower right leg broke into multiple pieces and poked through the skin, which increased the threat of infection.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 7, 2021
The more comminuted sand, clay, and earth, which is transported by running water.
From Principles of Geology or, The Modern Changes of the Earth and its Inhabitants Considered as Illustrative of Geology by Lyell, Charles, Sir
Indirect, remote, or accidental functions of a hammer may be comminuting, forging, driving, etc.
From The Classification of Patents by United States Patent Office
It was readily ignited, burning with a dull flame and smoke, the fragments comminuting more or less by the heat.
From Old Mackinaw The Fortress of the Lakes and its Surroundings by Strickland, W. P. (William Peter)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
