anatomize

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled anatomise

US /əˈnætəmaɪz/ UK /əˈnætəmaɪz/ See IPA manual

Freq #207613

Meanings

1

verb
to analyze a subject, argument, or character in minute detail

The essay anatomizes the motives behind the failed rebellion.
2

verb
to dissect a human, animal, or plant body in order to study its structure

Early physicians anatomized cadavers to learn how organs were arranged.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to analyze a subject,... analyze dissect examineparse

2 verb · to dissect a human, animal,... dissect dismembercut up

Opposites

synthesize generalizegloss over

Word family

Derived forms anatomizationanatomizeranatomizing

Related forms anatomy dissection analysis autopsy

Etymology

From Late Middle English anatomisen, borrowed through Middle French anatomiser or Medieval Latin anatomizare. These forms were built on Latin anatomia, from Greek anatome, 'dissection,' from ana- ('up') + temnein ('to cut'). The figurative sense treats close analysis as intellectual dissection.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# anatomize

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /əˈnætəmaɪz/
**IPA (UK):** /əˈnætəmaɪz/
**Frequency rank:** 207613

## Meanings
1. to analyze a subject, argument, or character in minute detail
2. to dissect a human, animal, or plant body in order to study its structure

## Examples
- The essay anatomizes the motives behind the failed rebellion.
- Early physicians anatomized cadavers to learn how organs were arranged.

## Synonyms
- analyze
- dissect
- examine
- parse

## Antonyms
- synthesize
- generalize
- gloss over

## Derived Forms
- anatomization
- anatomizer
- anatomizing

## Related Forms
- anatomy
- dissection
- analysis
- autopsy

## Etymology
From Late Middle English anatomisen, borrowed through Middle French anatomiser or Medieval Latin anatomizare. These forms were built on Latin anatomia, from Greek anatome, 'dissection,' from ana- ('up') + temnein ('to cut'). The figurative sense treats close analysis as intellectual dissection.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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