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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

dissect

/dɪˈsɛkt/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:05
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What does dissect mean?

verb

  1. To study an animal's anatomy by cutting it apart; to perform a necropsy or an autopsy.
  2. To study a plant's or other organism's anatomy similarly.
  3. (figuratively) To analyze an idea in detail by delineating between its parts.
More meanings (3)

verb

  1. To separate muscles, organs, etc. without cutting into them or disrupting their architecture.
  2. Of an infection or foreign material, following the fascia separating muscles or other organs.
  3. (derogatory, figuratively) To decontextualize an idea, especially through overanalysis by delineating between its parts too strongly based on style, usually involving pedantry, at the expense of substance.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/dɪˈsɛkt/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/daɪˈsɛkt/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

But when we come to dissect it with attention, it will appear to be made up of nothing but fair-sounding words.
Alexander Hamilton; John Jay; James MadisonThe Federalist PapersProject Gutenberg ebook #18
He could dissect well under the simple microscope, but I think it was by dint of his great patience and carefulness.
Charles DarwinLife and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1Project Gutenberg ebook #2087
More book examples (3)
As often happens, when such refusals are made, the practitioners resolved to disinter the body and dissect it at leisure, in private.
Edgar Allan PoeThe Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2Project Gutenberg ebook #2148
So closely were these small crystals enveloped with the mucilaginous matter that it was almost impossible to separate or dissect them from it.
VariousThe Scientific Monthly, October to December, 1915Project Gutenberg ebook #987
Trained at Louvain, he had, from his earliest youth, an ardent desire to dissect, and cut up mice and rats, and even cats and dogs.
William, Sir OslerThe Evolution of Modern Medicine A Series of Lectures Delivered at Yale University on the Silliman Foundation in April, 1913Project Gutenberg ebook #1566