dissect

[dih-sekt, dahy-] /dɪˈsɛkt, daɪ-/
verb (used with object)
1.
to cut apart (an animal body, plant, etc.) to examine the structure, relation of parts, or the like.
2.
to examine minutely part by part; analyze:
to dissect an idea.
Origin
1600-10; < Latin dissectus (past participle of dissecāre to cut up), equivalent to dis- dis-1 + sec- cut + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
dissectible, adjective
dissector, noun
redissect, verb (used with object)
self-dissecting, adjective
Can be confused
bisect, dissect.
Synonyms
1, 2. anatomize.
British Dictionary definitions for dissect

dissect

/dɪˈsɛkt; daɪ-/
verb
1.
to cut open and examine the structure of (a dead animal or plant)
2.
(transitive) to examine critically and minutely
Derived Forms
dissectible, adjective
dissection, noun
dissector, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin dissecāre, from dis-1 + secāre to cut
Word Origin and History for dissect
v.

c.1600, from Latin dissectus, past participle of dissecare "to cut to pieces" (see dissection). Or perhaps a back-formation from dissection. Related: Dissected; dissecting.

dissect in Medicine

dissect dis·sect (dĭ-sěkt', dī-, dī'sěkt')
v. dis·sect·ed, dis·sect·ing, dis·sects

  1. To cut apart or separate tissue, especially for anatomical study.

  2. In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.

dissect in Science
dissect
  (dĭ-sěkt', dī'sěkt')   

  1. To cut apart or separate body tissues or organs, especially for anatomical study.

  2. In surgery, to separate different anatomical structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue framework.