vivisect

American  

[viv-uh-sekt, viv-uh-sekt] / ˈvɪv əˌsɛkt, ˌvɪv əˈsɛkt /

verb (used with object)

1. to dissect the living body of (an animal).

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verb (used without object)

1. to practice vivisection.

vivisect British  

/ ˌvɪvɪˈsɛkt, ˈvɪvɪˌsɛkt /

verb

1. to subject (an animal) to vivisection

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Other Word Forms

• self-vivisector noun
• vivisector noun

Etymology

Origin of vivisect

First recorded in 1860–65; back formation from vivisection

Example Sentences

The 17th-century French philosopher René Descartes infamously vivisected dogs because he believed only human beings could have souls.

From Salon

Visuals to remind a player that he is always near death include ravens picking at dead meat, bodies hung outdoors and a vivisected corpse lying on a morgue table, for example.

From Washington Times

“We will open our insides, we are available to be vivisected to respond to all of this political pressure...,”

From Reuters

There’s already a mythologized version of her, frothed up by journalists eager to vivisect a prodigy, turn her into a Thing.

From Los Angeles Times

Gandhi fought Ambedkar over establishing separate electorates for untouchables, arguing that these would “vivisect” Hinduism.

From New York Times