Main Entry: dis·sect

Pronunciation: \dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt, ˈdī-ˌ\

Function: transitive verb

: 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