dissector
|dis-sect-or|
🇺🇸
/dɪˈsɛktɚ/
🇬🇧
/dɪˈsɛktə/
one who cuts apart to examine
Etymology
'dissector' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'dissecare', where 'dis-' meant 'apart' and 'secare' meant 'to cut'.
'dissector' developed from Latin 'dissecare' through Old/Middle French forms such as 'dissequer' and the verb 'dissect' in Middle English; the agentive suffix '-or' produced 'dissector' in modern English.
Initially it meant 'one who cuts apart (literally)', but over time it came to mean specifically 'one who anatomically dissects' and also acquired a figurative sense 'one who analyzes closely'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person or thing that dissects, especially one who cuts apart bodies or specimens for anatomical study.
The dissector carefully separated the tissues to expose the nerves.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a person who analyzes or examines something in great detail (figurative use).
As a literary dissector, she examined every sentence for hidden meaning.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/22 17:33