from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dismember \Dis*mem"ber\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dismembered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Dismembering}.] [OF. desmembrer, F.
d['e]membrer; pref. des- (L. dis) + OF. & F. membre limb. See
{Member}.]
1. To tear limb from limb; to dilacerate; to disjoin member
from member; to tear or cut in pieces; to break up.
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Fowls obscene dismembered his remains. --Pope.
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A society lacerated and dismembered. --Gladstone.
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By whose hands the blow should be struck which would
dismember that once mighty empire. --Buckle.
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2. To deprive of membership. [Obs.]
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They were dismembered by vote of the house. --R.
North.
Syn: To disjoint; dislocate; dilacerate; mutilate; divide;
sever.
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