Dismember: meaning, definitions and examples

🔪

Add to dictionary

dismember

[dɪsˈmɛmbər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

crime

To dismember means to cut or tear the limbs off a person or animal. It is a gruesome act often associated with violent crimes.

Synonyms

disassemble, dismantle, sever.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dismember	Typically used in a dramatic or serious context to describe the act of cutting or tearing apart limbs or parts from a body. Can also be used metaphorically for breaking up an organization or system. In the horror movie, the monster would dismember its victims. The scandal threatened to dismember the political party.
dismantle	Best used when talking about taking down or apart large structures, systems, or organizations in a more comprehensive way, often implying a permanent state. They decided to dismantle the old factory to make way for new development. The government plans to dismantle outdated regulations to improve efficiency.
disassemble	Used when talking about taking something apart into its individual pieces, especially used for machines or objects that can be reassembled. He had to disassemble the car engine to figure out what was wrong with it. The kids disassembled the Lego house they built.
sever	Used in a serious or formal context to describe the act of cutting off completely or putting an end to something, often a relationship or connection. He decided to sever ties with the company after the scandal. The accident nearly severed his arm.

Examples of usage

The murderer dismembered his victim and scattered the body parts across the forest.
The police found evidence of a dismembered body in the suspect's backyard.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

organization

To dismember an organization means to break it up into smaller parts or separate it into different entities. This can be done for various reasons such as restructuring or downsizing.

Synonyms

break up, divide, separate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
dismember	Used when talking about separating limbs or parts of a body, usually with strong negative connotations. It can also be used metaphorically for violent division. The killer dismembered the victim's body to hide the evidence. The multinational corporation was dismembered into smaller entities after the scandal.
break up	Commonly used to describe the end of a relationship, group, or gathering. It's less formal and can be used in casual contexts. They decided to break up after five years of dating. The band had to break up due to creative differences.
divide	Used when talking about separating something into parts, whether it's physical objects, concepts, or groups. It can be neutral or carry a negative tone depending on the context. Let's divide the cake into eight equal slices. Political issues can often divide a nation.
separate	Used to indicate the action of moving or being moved apart. It can be physical, emotional, or abstract. It's often considered neutral. Please separate the whites from the colors before doing laundry. The teacher had to separate the two students because they were disruptive.

Examples of usage

The company decided to dismember its international division and focus on local markets.
The government plans to dismember the monopoly to promote competition in the industry.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'dismember' comes from the Middle English term 'dismembre,' which means to take apart or separate.
It combines 'dis-' (meaning apart) with 'member,' which refers to a part of a whole, especially limbs.
The use of this word can be traced back to the 14th century, reflecting its longstanding presence in the English language.

Literature

In Shakespeare's play 'Hamlet,' there are references to dismemberment as a metaphor for moral corruption.
The act often appears in literature to symbolize loss of identity or transformation, as characters face physical or psychological fragmentation.
Horror genres frequently use this concept to evoke fear and shock, highlighting the vulnerability of the body.

Psychology

The concept of dismemberment can relate to feelings of emotional detachment, where individuals feel disconnected from their own bodies or experiences.
In trauma studies, dismemberment may symbolize a breakdown of self during stressful events, leading to a coping mechanism of numbing sensation.
Some psychological theories suggest that dismemberment dreams may reflect anxiety or fear of losing control over one's life.

Pop Culture

Dismemberment has been sensationalized in movies and video games, often used for shock value, especially in horror films like 'Saw' and 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre.'
It serves as a plot device that raises stakes and intensifies conflict, making characters confront life-and-death situations.
Various artists in music and visual arts use dismemberment as a metaphor for societal issues, portraying the fragmentation of identity in modern culture.

Science

The process of dismemberment in biology can refer to the natural shedding of limbs in certain species, like starfish, which regenerate lost parts.
In forensic science, dismemberment is a critical aspect in crime investigations, as it can conceal evidence and complicate the identification of victims.
Research on animal behavior often indicates that dismemberment can be a survival strategy to escape predators or heal from injuries.

Translations

Translations of the word "dismember" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desmembrar

🇮🇳 अंग-भंग करना

🇩🇪 zerstückeln

🇮🇩 memotong-motong

🇺🇦 розчленовувати

🇵🇱 rozczłonkować

🇯🇵 四肢を切断する

🇫🇷 démembrer

🇪🇸 desmembrar

🇹🇷 parçalamak

🇰🇷 절단하다

🇸🇦 قطع الأوصال

🇨🇿 rozčlenit

🇸🇰 rozčleniť

🇨🇳 肢解

🇸🇮 razkosati

🇮🇸 limlesta

🇰🇿 бөлшектеу

🇬🇪 განმარტავება

🇦🇿 parçalamaq

🇲🇽 desmembrar

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,007 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

...
33004 grater
33005 swabbing
33006 sacristan
33007 dismember
33008 psychodrama
33009 lymphadenitis
33010 distrusting
...