Dissect

To dissect is to methodically cut something open, typically a dead body or plant, to study its internal structure. This involves careful separation of parts to reveal their form, function, and relationships. Beyond the physical act, dissect can also mean to analyze or examine something in great detail, breaking it down into its component parts to understand its nature or purpose, as in dissecting a complex problem or argument. The goal is to gain a deeper comprehension by examining individual elements and their interactions.

Dissect meaning with examples

• The biology students were required to dissect a frog, carefully using scalpels and forceps to reveal the organs and their arrangement. This hands-on activity provided invaluable insight into amphibian anatomy, enhancing their understanding of biological systems.
• Before starting her dissertation, Dr. Jones decided to dissect the existing literature on climate change. She carefully categorized and analyzed each study to gain a better understanding of the arguments made in the field.
• The surgeon had to carefully dissect the surrounding tissue to remove the tumor. Meticulous precision and knowledge of human anatomy were required to ensure the healthy parts were not harmed during surgery.
• The detective had to dissect the crime scene, examining every detail and clue to reconstruct the events that led to the murder. This method of dissecting the scene helped to determine what happened and how it occurred.