dismemberment

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

dismemberment
    n 1: the removal of limbs; being cut to pieces [syn:
         {dismemberment}, {taking apart}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Dismemberment \Dis*mem"ber*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. desmembrement, F.
   d['e]membrement.]
   The act of dismembering, or the state of being dismembered;
   cutting in piece; m?tilation; division; separation.
   [1913 Webster]

         The Castilians would doubtless have resented the
         dismemberment of the unwieldy body of which they formed
         the head.                                --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]