The Collaborative International Dictionary
Anatomize \A*nat"o*mize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Anatomized; p. pr. & vb. n. Anatomizing.] [Cf. F. anatomiser.]
To dissect; to cut in pieces, as an animal vegetable body, for the purpose of displaying or examining the structure and use of the several parts.
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To discriminate minutely or carefully; to analyze.
If we anatomize all other reasonings of this nature, we shall find that they are founded on the relation of cause and effect.
--Hume.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"to dissect, investigate by dissection," early 15c., from Medieval Latin anatomizare or French anatomiser (16c.), from Greek anatomia (see anatomy). Related: Anatomized; anatomizing.
Wiktionary
vb. 1 To inspect or investigate by dissection. 2 To scrutinize down to the most minute detail.
WordNet
v. dissect in order to analyze; "anatomize the bodies of the victims of this strange disease" [syn: anatomise]
analyze down to the smallest detail; "This writer anatomized the depth of human behavior"
Usage examples of "anatomize".
You see a little ugly thing like an anatomized ape,--there, see,--he has just thrown down a chair, and, in stooping to pick it up, has almost fallen over the Dutch ambassadress,--that is Louis Armand, Prince of Conti.
Boyle also did not scruple to perform his own experiments and, on one occasion in my presence, even showed himself willing to anatomize a rat with his very own hands.
Cola, if I should die tomorrow, you have my full permission to anatomize me.
He has nothing against anatomizing, but he feels I tend to become undignified about the matter.
Paris altogether different from the muckheap of abominations he had so memorably anatomized.
If you have any knowledge of our literature, and can give me the name of any man, American born and bred, who has anatomized our follies as a people, and not as this or that party.
I would gladly have him seehis company anatomized, that he might take a measureof his own judgments, wherein so curiously he hadset this counterfeit.