First Known Use: 1598
Dictionary
dissect
verb dis·sect \dī-ˈsekt also di-, ˈdī-ˌ\
: to cut (a plant or dead animal) into separate parts in order to study it
: to study or examine (something) closely and carefully
: to divide (something) into parts
Full Definition of DISSECT
transitive verb
1
: to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (as an animal) for scientific examination
2
: to analyze and interpret minutely <dissect a problem>
intransitive verb
: to make a dissection
— dis·sec·tor \-ˈsek-tər\ noun
See dissect defined for English-language learners
See dissect defined for kids
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Origin of DISSECT
Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare to cut apart, from dis- + secare to cut — more at saw
Related to DISSECT
- Synonyms
- anatomize, assay, break down, cut, deconstruct, analyze
Synonym Discussion of DISSECT
analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements. analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships <analyzed the collected data>. dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny <commentators dissected every word of the speech>. break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions <break down the budget>.
Rhymes with DISSECT
abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked
DISSECT Defined for Kids
dissect
verb dis·sect \di-ˈsekt\
dis·sect·eddis·sect·ing
Definition of DISSECT for Kids
: to cut or take apart especially for examination <We dissected a flower in science class.>
Medical Dictionary
dissect
transitive verb dis·sect \dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt, ˈdī-ˌ\
Medical Definition of DISSECT
: to cut so as to separate into pieces or to expose the several parts of (as an animal or a cadaver) for scientific examination; specifically : to separate or follow along natural lines of cleavage (as through connective tissue) <dissect out the regional lymph nodes> <a dissecting aneurysm>
intransitive verb
: to make a medical dissection
—dis·sec·tor \-ər\ noun
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