from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dissect \Dis*sect"\, 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]