dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt 

also

di-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

dissected; dissecting; dissects

transitive verb

1

: to separate into pieces : expose the several parts of (something, such as an animal) for scientific examination

dissect an earthworm

dissecting flowers

2

: to analyze and interpret minutely

dissect a problem

intransitive verb

: to make a dissection

dissector

dī-ˈsek-tər

also

di- 

ˈdī-ˌsek-

noun

Synonyms

• analyze
• anatomize
• assay
• break down
• cut
• deconstruct

Choose the Right Synonym for 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 (such 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

Examples of dissect in a Sentence

We dissected a frog in science class.

She dissected each point of his argument.

We dissected the poem in class.

The city is dissected by a network of highways.

Recent Examples on the Web

That first show is going to be dissected with a magnifying glass in the age of YouTube. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 8 Apr. 2024

However, the series soon becomes a mind-boggling supernatural thriller that’s a delight to dissect. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2024

Loan officers will dissect these documents to determine your business's health and capacity to take on debt. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 30 Mar. 2024

In his dissertation for his doctorate, Dr. Gilmore set out to answer the questions his father left open, dissecting the roots of Black joy and pulling the thread on what Black aesthetics mean without the presence of a white patron. —Debra Kamin, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

Discovering Phin’s YouTube channel during college was a revelation for me, as her eloquence in dissecting fashion concepts deepened my understanding of the industry. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024

According to Dermatologists By Jenny McCoy Rest assured, the Swifties will not sleep until every square millimeter of this bracelet has been dissected. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024

Already, people have dissected the video, examining every frame. —Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2024

In the month since the deadly Super Bowl rally shooting, Kansas City police have dissected plans for such events and made changes before this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

dissect

verb

dis·​sect dī-ˈsekt  ˈdi-  ˈdī-ˌsekt 

1

: to cut up (as a plant or animal) into separate parts for examination and study

2

: to make a careful examination of

dissect a problem

Etymology

from Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare "to cut apart," from dis- "apart" and secare "to cut" — related to insect, section

Medical Definition

dissect

transitive verb

dis·​sect dis-ˈekt; dī-ˈsekt  ˈdī-ˌ 

: 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

dissector

-ər 

noun