dissection Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun cutting so as to separate into pieces
  2. noun a minute and critical analysis
  3. noun detailed critical analysis or examination one part at a time (as of a literary work)

WordNet

Dis*sec"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. F. dissection.
Definitions
  1. The act of dissecting an animal or plant; as, dissection of the human body was held sacrilege till the time of Francis I.
  2. Fig.: The act of separating or dividing for the purpose of critical examination.
  3. Anything dissected; especially, some part, or the whole, of an animal or plant dissected so as to exhibit the structure; an anatomical so prepared.

Webster 1913