apart

[uh-pahrt] /əˈpɑrt/
adverb
1.
into pieces or parts; to pieces:
to take a watch apart; an old barn falling apart from decay.
2.
separately in place, time, motion, etc.:
New York and Tokyo are thousands of miles apart. Our birthdays are three days apart.
3.
to or at one side, with respect to place, purpose, or function:
to put money apart for education; to keep apart from the group out of pride.
4.
separately or individually in consideration:
each factor viewed apart from the others.
5.
aside (used with a gerund or noun):
Joking apart, what do you think?
adjective
6.
having independent or unique qualities, features, or characteristics (usually used following the noun it modifies):
a class apart.
Verb phrases
7.
take apart,
  1. to disassemble:
    to take a clock apart.
  2. Informal. to criticize; attack:
    She was taken apart for her controversial stand.
  3. to subject to intense examination:
    He will take your feeble excuses apart.
Idioms
8.
apart from, aside from; in addition to; besides:
Apart from other considerations, time is a factor.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Old French a part to one side. See a-5, part
Related forms
apartness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for take apart

take apart

verb (transitive, adverb)
1.
to separate (something) into component parts
2.
to criticize or punish severely: the reviewers took the new play apart

apart

/əˈpɑːt/
adjective, adverb (postpositive)
1.
to pieces or in pieces: he had the television apart on the floor
2.
placed or kept separately or to one side for a particular purpose, reason, etc; aside (esp in the phrases set or put apart)
3.
separate in time, place, or position; at a distance: he stood apart from the group, two points three feet apart
4.
not being taken into account; aside: these difficulties apart, the project ran smoothly
5.
individual; distinct; separate: a race apart
6.
separately or independently in use, thought, or function: considered apart, his reasoning was faulty
7.
(preposition) apart from, besides; other than
See also take apart, tell apart
Word Origin
C14: from Old French a part at (the) side
Word Origin and History for take apart

apart

adv.

late 14c., from Old French à part "to the side," from Latin ad "to" (see ad-) + partem, accusative of pars "a side" (see part (n.)).

Slang definitions & phrases for take apart

take apart

verb phrase
  1. To criticize severely and in a detailed way; defame
  2. To defeat; thrash: mugger took them apart (1942+)
  3. To dismantle: took the Legos apart

Idioms and Phrases with take apart

take apart

.
Dismantle or disassemble, as in They had to take apart the stereo before they could move it. This usage was first recorded in 1936.
.
Examine thoroughly, analyze or dissect, as in The teacher embarrassed Tom by taking his thesis apart in front of the class. [ Mid-1900s ]
.
Beat up, thrash, as in You'd better be careful; those boys will take you apart. [ ; mid-1900s ]

apart

In addition to the idiom beginning with
apart
also see: