dissection

dissection — noun

1. the process of cutting a dead creature, plant, or organ open in order to examine

1.名詞C1
釋義

the process of cutting a dead creature, plant, or organ open in order to examine the structures inside

例句

Kian's first dissection in biology class was of a worm.

The medical students performed a careful dissection of a human arm.

collocation: perform a dissection

同義詞
  • autopsy

    restricted to human bodies examined to find the cause of death; dissection is broader (animals, plants, organs)

  • vivisection

    different in that the subject is alive; dissection implies the specimen is dead

文法句型

dissection of + noun

常見錯誤

The surgeon performed a dissection on the patient.
The surgeon performed a dissection on the cadaver / a dead body.
💡Dissection is always performed on a dead specimen, never on a living person.

2. a very thorough and careful examination of something, such as an idea, a piece o

2.名詞C1
釋義

a very thorough and careful examination of something, such as an idea, a piece of writing, or a situation, in which every part is looked at separately

例句

Nikhil's dissection of the poem showed how each line related to the main idea.

figurative: dissection of [text]

The journalist wrote a sharp dissection of the government's new education policy.

collocation: sharp dissection

同義詞
  • analysis

    a broader and more neutral term; dissection suggests a more systematic, piece-by-piece taking apart, often with a critical intent

  • scrutiny

    focuses on very close observation rather than separating into parts; less methodical than dissection

  • examination

    a general look-over that may not involve separating components; dissection always implies breaking into parts

  • breakdown

    more informal; dissection has a more analytical and academic tone

反義詞
  • synthesis

    the opposite process of combining parts into a whole, rather than taking them apart

文法句型

dissection of + noun

用法筆記

Common in journalism and academic writing, where it describes a close, often critical piece-by-piece examination. Works naturally with ideas, texts, systems, and policies, but less commonly with personal relationships.

常見錯誤

She gave a dissection of his personality.
She gave a dissection of his argument / the novel / the policy.
💡The figurative sense sounds most natural with abstract systems, texts, or ideas, not with personal traits.