anatomy

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noun anat·o·my \ ə-ˈna-tə-mē \

Definition of anatomy

plural anatomies

1 :a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms

2 :a treatise on anatomical science or art

3 :the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function :dissection

4 obsolete :a body dissected or to be dissected

5 :structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts

the anatomy of birds

human anatomy

6 :a separating or dividing into parts for detailed examination :analysis

the anatomy of a marriage

7 a (1) :skeleton

(2) :mummy

b :the human body

wore an outfit that showed off various parts of her anatomy

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anatomical

play \ˌa-nə-ˈtä-mi-kəl\ or anatomic play \-ˈtä-mik\ adjective

—

anatomically

play \-mi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See anatomy defined for English-language learners

See anatomy defined for kids

Examples of anatomy in a Sentence

We had to take a class on anatomy.
learning about the anatomies of different types of birds
learning about the anatomy of an earthquake

Recent Examples of anatomy from the Web

But the internal anatomy should be preserved, and the iodine dye will highlight it further in select specimens.

— ryan cross, Science | AAAS, "New 3D scanning campaign will reveal 20,000 animals in stunning detail," 24 Aug. 2017
Andrea Mitchell and the male anatomy This week marks the 39th year at NBC News for Mitchell, 70 and still hosting a very thoughtful show on MSNBC each afternoon.

— The Hive, "How Trump’s Embarrassing Wall Street Journal Interview Got Leaked," 2 Aug. 2017
Suppose, however, that one were able to administer one's renal output widely and evenly, perhaps by affixing a deluxe showerhead to the relevant anatomy and spinning on a lazy Susan?

— Popular Mechanics, "Should You Pee on Your Lawn?," 29 July 2017
In and out of the White House, Priebus was referred to by all manor of derogatory nicknames centered on the male anatomy, like Rancid Penis, Reince Penis, The Penis, and Little Penis.

— olivia nuzzi, Daily Intelligencer, "Why the Mooch Whacked Reince Priebus," 29 July 2017
Of course, a reptile position for the microsaurs concerned also means that their biology and anatomy should now be imagined as ‘reptile-like’ rather than ‘

— darren naish, Scientific American Blog Network, "The Microsaurs of Yore," 7 July 2017
Through the month of July, the participants prepare the body donors for the incoming gross anatomy class in the fall at the university, Talarico said.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "IUN prosection program a 'phenomenal privilege' to learn empathy, medicine," 7 July 2017
My tour of porcine anatomy concluded with the sweetbreads, which are neither sweet nor bread, served with fennel and a dollop of pureed apricot.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Where to eat, drink in Chicago," 30 June 2017
The podcast encourages women to speak up for their sexual needs and desires, educate themselves on their anatomy, and explore what brings them pleasure.

— danielle friedman, The Cut, "This Evangelical Sex Podcast Wants Christian Wives to Explore What Turns Them On," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anatomy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of anatomy

Late Latin anatomia dissection, from Greek anatomē, from anatemnein to dissect, from ana- + temnein to cut

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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anatomy Synonyms

Synonyms

anatomizing, analysis, assay, breakdown, deconstruction, dissection

Near Antonyms

agglomeration, aggregation, amalgamation, assimilation, coalescence, conglomeration, consolidation, integration, synthesis, unification

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

ANATOMY Defined for English Language Learners

anatomy

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noun

Definition of anatomy for English Language Learners

biology : the study of the structure of living things
: the parts that form a living thing (such as an animal or plant)
: a person's body

ANATOMY Defined for Kids

anatomy

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noun anat·o·my \ ə-ˈna-tə-mē \

Definition of anatomy for Students

plural anatomies

1 :a science that has to do with the structure of living things

2 :the structural makeup especially of a person or animal

the anatomy of the cat

Medical Dictionary

anatomy

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noun anat·o·my \ ə-ˈnat-ə-mē \

medical Definition of anatomy

plural anatomies

1 :a branch of morphology that deals with the structure of organisms — compare physiology 1

2 :a treatise on anatomic science or art

3 :the art of separating the parts of an organism in order to ascertain their position, relations, structure, and function :dissection

4 :structural makeup especially of an organism or any of its parts

Learn More about anatomy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for anatomy Spanish Central: Translation of anatomy Nglish: Translation of anatomy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of anatomy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anatomy

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ANATOMY Defined for English Language Learners

anatomy

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