dissect
[ dih-sekt, dahy- ]
/ dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ- /
verb (used with object)
to cut apart (an animal body, plant, etc.) to examine the structure, relation of parts, or the like.
to examine minutely part by part; analyze: to dissect an idea.
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
OTHER WORDS FROM dissect
dis·sec·ti·ble, adjective dis·sec·tor, noun re·dis·sect, verb (used with object) self-dis·sect·ing, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dissect
bisect dissectWords nearby dissect
Example sentences from the Web for dissect
British Dictionary definitions for dissect
dissect
/ (dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ-) /
verb
to cut open and examine the structure of (a dead animal or plant)
(tr)
to examine critically and minutely
Derived forms of dissect
dissectible, adjective dissection, noun dissector, nounWord Origin for dissect
C17: from Latin
dissecāre, from
dis-
1 +
secāre to cut
Medical definitions for dissect
dissect
[ dĭ-sĕkt′, dī-, dī′sĕkt′ ]
v.
To cut apart or separate tissue, especially for anatomical study.
In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.
Scientific definitions for dissect
dissect
[ dĭ-sĕkt′, dī′sĕkt′ ]
To cut apart or separate body tissues or organs, especially for anatomical study.
In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.