dissection
UK: dɪˈsekʃən | US: dɪˈsekʃən
n. the act of cutting apart or analyzing in detail
n. (biology) the careful separation and examination of tissues or structures
n. (figurative) a thorough and critical examination of an idea or issue
The word "dissection" originates from Latin dissecare ("to cut apart"), combining dis- (apart) and secare (to cut). The root sect appears in related words like "section" and "insect" (literally "cut into segments"). The suffix -ion nominalizes the action, forming a term for both literal anatomical analysis and metaphorical scrutiny. The logic reflects a progression from physical cutting to systematic examination.
The biology class performed a dissection of a frog to study its anatomy.
Her dissection of the novel’s themes revealed hidden layers of meaning.
The surgeon’s precise dissection avoided damage to vital nerves.
Critics praised the documentary’s dissection of societal inequalities.
A thorough dissection of the data exposed flaws in the initial hypothesis.