Dis*sect" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Dissected; p. pr. & vb. n.
Dissecting.] [L. dissectus, p. p. of dissecare;
dis- + secare to cut. See Section.]
1. (Anat.) To divide into separate parts;
to cut in pieces; to separate and expose the parts of, as an animal
or a plant, for examination and to show their structure and
relations; to anatomize.
2. To analyze, for the purposes of science or
criticism; to divide and examine minutely.
This paragraph . . . I have dissected for a
sample.
Atterbury.