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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To analyze, for the purposes of science or criticism; to divide and examine minutely. [ 1913 Webster ]

This paragraph . . . I have dissected for a sample. Atterbury. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Cut into several parts; divided into sections; as, a dissected map. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Cut deeply into many lobes or divisions; as, a dissected leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being dissected, or separated by dissection. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Dividing or separating the parts of an animal or vegetable body; as, a dissecting aneurism, one which makes its way between or within the coats of an artery. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to, or received during, a dissection; as, a dissecting wound. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Used for or in dissecting; as, a dissecting knife; a dissecting microscope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dissection. ] 1. The act of dissecting an animal or plant; as, dissection of the human body was held sacrilege till the time of Francis I. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: The act of separating or dividing for the purpose of critical examination. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Anything dissected; especially, some part, or the whole, of an animal or plant dissected so as to exhibit the structure; an anatomical so prepared. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dissection wound, a poisoned wound incurred during the dissection of a dead body. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. dissecteur. ] One who dissects; an anatomist. [ 1913 Webster ]