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

This happens before Ellie has her own run-in with members of the cult, who grab Ellie and come close to hanging and vivisecting her before she can explain that she’s not a threat.

From Salon

For example, standing right next to a table featuring a prop body vivisected in all of its gruesomeness was a hovering staff person and that was a distraction.

From Washington Times

It didn’t help that she was pressured to watch a boy vivisect a live crawfish with his pocket knife.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Rarely has a film so neatly emotionally vivisected me as this one about a villain best known for wanting to skin puppies to make a coat.

From The Verge