analysis

[uh-nal-uh-sis] /əˈnæl ə sɪs/
noun, plural analyses
[uh-nal-uh-seez] /əˈnæl əˌsiz/ (Show IPA)
1.
the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (opposed to synthesis).
2.
this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations:
the grammatical analysis of a sentence.
3.
a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process:
The paper published an analysis of the political situation.
4.
a philosophical method of exhibiting complex concepts or propositions as compounds or functions of more basic ones.
5.
Mathematics.
  1. an investigation based on the properties of numbers.
  2. the discussion of a problem by algebra, as opposed to geometry.
  3. the branch of mathematics consisting of calculus and its higher developments.
  4. a system of calculation, as combinatorial analysis or vector analysis.
  5. a method of proving a proposition by assuming the result and working backward to something that is known to be true.
    Compare synthesis (def 4).
6.
Chemistry.
  1. intentionally produced decomposition or separation of materials into their ingredients or elements, as to find their kind or quantity.
  2. the ascertainment of the kind or amount of one or more of the constituents of materials, whether obtained in separate form or not.
    Compare qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis.
7.
psychoanalysis.
8.
Computers. systems analysis.
Origin
1575-85; < Neo-Latin < Greek, equivalent to analȳ́(ein) to loosen up (ana- ana- + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis
Related forms
misanalysis, noun, plural misanalyses.
overanalysis, noun, plural overanalyses.
reanalysis, noun, plural reanalyses.
Examples from the web for analysis
  • Now a new analysis finds that national culture, not innate ability, can account for some test differences.
  • We have a slightly different water cycle here: collection, distribution, analysis.
  • Conduct market research and competitive analysis.
  • In every respect, his analysis proved prescient.
  • In this blog, our correspondents respond to breaking news stories and provide comment and analysis.
  • Genome analysis indicates Neandertals and modern humans interbred .
  • Once that is done, a second layer of analysis is applied—and this is where things get labour intensive.
  • But more than that, he criticises them for their concentration on dry analysis.
  • The final stage, synthesis, is like analysis but in reverse.
  • New analysis sorts out some of the competing theories.
British Dictionary definitions for analysis

analysis

/əˈnælɪsɪs/
noun (pl) -ses (-ˌsiːz)
1.
the division of a physical or abstract whole into its constituent parts to examine or determine their relationship or value Compare synthesis (sense 1)
2.
a statement of the results of this
3.
short for psychoanalysis
4.
(chem)
  1. the decomposition of a substance into its elements, radicals, or other constituents in order to determine the kinds of constituents present (qualitative analysis) or the amount of each constituent (quantitative analysis)
  2. the result obtained by such a determination
5.
(linguistics) the use of word order together with word function to express syntactic relations in a language, as opposed to the use of inflections Compare synthesis (sense 4)
6.
(maths) the branch of mathematics principally concerned with the properties of functions, largely arising out of calculus
7.
(philosophy) (in the writings of Kant) the separation of a concept from another that contains it Compare synthesis (sense 6a)
8.
in the last analysis, in the final analysis, in the ultimate analysis, after everything has been given due consideration
Word Origin
C16: from New Latin, from Greek analusis, literally: a dissolving, from analuein, from ana- + luein to loosen
Word Origin and History for analysis
n.

1580s, "resolution of anything complex into simple elements" (opposite of synthesis), from Medieval Latin analysis (15c.), from Greek analysis "a breaking up, a loosening, releasing," noun of action from analyein "unloose, release, set free; to loose a ship from its moorings," in Aristotle, "to analyze," from ana "up, throughout" (see ana-) + lysis "a loosening," from lyein "to unfasten" (see lose). Psychological sense is from 1890. Phrase in the final (or last) analysis (1844), translates French en dernière analyse.

analysis in Medicine

analysis a·nal·y·sis (ə-nāl'ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. a·nal·y·ses (-sēz')

  1. The separation of a whole into its constituent parts for individual study.

  2. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements to determine either their nature or proportions.

  3. The stated findings of such a separation or determination.

  4. Psychoanalysis.

analysis in Science
analysis
  (ə-nāl'ĭ-sĭs)   

  1. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements, usually by chemical means, for the study and identification of each component. ◇ Qualitative analysis determines what substances are present in a compound. ◇ Quantitative analysis determines how much of each substance is present in a compound.

  2. A branch of mathematics concerned with limits and convergence and principally involving differential calculus, integral calculus, sequences, and series.