dissection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dissection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are analyzing or breaking down a subject, idea, or text for better understanding. Example: "The dissection of the poem revealed deeper meanings and themes that were not immediately apparent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In his autobiographical novel, The Kindness of Women, JG Ballard glosses his experience of dissection as a Cambridge medical student thus: "As the four teams began to dissect this unknown woman, opening flaps of skin in her limbs, neck and abdomen, she seemed to undress in a last act of self-revelation, unpacking herself of all the mortal elements of her life".

The Guardian - Arts

The @Bristol science centre is running a party with after-hours access to the exhibits, a pop-up dating booth and the chance to take part in a dissection of a pig's heart (£7, at-bristol.org.uk).uk

The Guardian - Travel

This is not a time for protection of process, but a thorough and confronting dissection of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It would appear that others were marked for dissection and dispatch to Britain even before they died.

The Guardian

For Ballard, dissection enables psychological as well as physical forensics: "Sitting beside her, I pared back the skin of her shoulder, dividing the muscles and exposing the nerves of her brachial plexus, the strings that had once moved her arms as she caressed her husband, brushed her hair, cradled her child".

The Guardian - Arts

Torres: Sprinter Mackenzie Scott goes for a full-on dissection of her upbringing and coming-of-age journey on this PJ Harvey soundalike album of 90s guitar fuzz.

The Guardian - Music

According to its programme, Peppiatt "delivers a mercilessly satirical dissection of his former trade... he lampoons the hypocrisy and dishonesty of his former employers through a series of mischievous stunts and interviews".

The Guardian

The non-Tory press adopts a similar formula - Tory manifesto stories on the front pages; the dissection of the Labour manifesto in leaders.

The Guardian

Dinner and drinks are on offer in Lab 111, which offers visitors the opportunity to dine on a converted dissection table under surgical lights – surprisingly, an experience that's not as strange as it sounds.

The Guardian - Travel

Alongside long shelves of model rockets, entries included a display on pig-eye dissection and a statistical analysis of poultry diseases.

The Economist

Anton Valukas, the court-appointed examiner into Lehman's bankruptcy, produced a magisterial 2,200-page 2,200-page last year of the bank's systematic failures of risk management andissectionce.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract topics, consider using "dissection" to imply a detailed examination of its components or structure. For instance, "a careful dissection of the argument".

Common error

Avoid using "dissection" when a simpler term like "analysis" or "examination" is more appropriate. "Dissection" implies a more invasive or detailed process.

Linguistic Context

The word "dissection" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of dissecting or something that has been dissected. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use both in the literal sense of physical dissection and the figurative sense of detailed analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dissection" is a versatile noun with a strong presence in academic, scientific, and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. While "dissection" can refer to the literal act of cutting apart a body for study, it is often used metaphorically to describe the detailed analysis of any complex subject. When choosing to use it, consider whether a simpler term like "analysis" might be more appropriate. The varied examples demonstrate that "dissection" is most effective when conveying a thorough and sometimes invasive examination.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

detailed analysis

Focuses on the analytical aspect rather than the physical.

thorough examination

Emphasizes a comprehensive and careful investigation.

in-depth study

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the investigation.

careful scrutiny

Emphasizes critical observation and rigorous inspection.

detailed investigation

Highlights a systematic and thorough inquiry.

anatomical study

Refers specifically to the study of anatomy.

surgical procedure

Emphasizes medical context and actions.

deconstruction

Highlights the act of breaking down and analyzing components.

vivisection

Refers specifically to performing operations on living animals for research.

autopsy

A post-mortem examination to discover the cause of death or the extent of disease.

FAQs

How is "dissection" used in a sentence?

Dissection can refer to the physical act of cutting apart a body for study, as in, "The students performed a careful dissection of the frog." It can also refer to detailed analysis, as in, "The critic provided a thorough dissection of the film's themes."

What are some synonyms for "dissection"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "dissection" include "analysis", "examination", "scrutiny", "anatomy", or "investigation".

Is it appropriate to use "dissection" in a non-scientific context?

Yes, "dissection" can be used metaphorically to describe a detailed analysis or examination of a non-scientific subject. For example, one might speak of "the dissection of a political strategy".

What is the difference between "dissection" and "vivisection"?

"Dissection" refers to cutting apart a body, typically a deceased one, for study. "Vivisection" refers to performing operations on living animals for experimental or scientific research. Therefore, "vivisection" can also be considered an antonym.