Main Entry: dis·sect

Pronunciation: \dī-ˈsekt also di-, ˈdī-ˌ\

Function: verb

Etymology: Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare to cut apart, from dis- + secare to cut — more at saw

Date: 1598

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

synonyms see analyze

— dis·sec·tor \-ˈsek-tər\ noun