Dismemberment: meaning, definitions and examples

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dismemberment

 

[ dɪsˈmɛmbərmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

violent crime

The act of cutting, tearing, or pulling apart the limbs of a person or animal. Dismemberment is often associated with brutal murders or accidents.

Synonyms

dismantling, dissection, mutilation.

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Word Description / Examples
dismemberment

The act of cutting or tearing the limbs from a body, often used in a violent or gruesome context. It carries a very negative connotation and is often associated with criminal acts or horror scenarios.

  • The victim suffered dismemberment at the hands of the killer.
  • The horror movie featured graphic scenes of dismemberment.
dismantling

The process of taking something apart, usually in a careful and systematic way. It can be used in a neutral or even positive context, often related to machinery, structures, or systems.

  • The engineers began dismantling the old factory equipment.
  • Dismantling the outdated system will allow us to upgrade the technology.
dissection

Cutting open and examining the inner parts of a body, usually for scientific or educational purposes. This term is often used in biology or medical fields.

  • In biology class, students performed a frog dissection to learn about anatomy.
  • The medical examiner conducted a detailed dissection to determine the cause of death.
mutilation

The act of inflicting severe damage or disfigurement to a body. This term is highly negative and often associated with cruelty, torture, or extreme violence.

  • The war left many soldiers with injuries and mutilation.
  • The victim was found with signs of severe mutilation.

Examples of usage

  • Police discovered evidence of dismemberment in the gruesome crime scene.
  • The dismemberment of the victim's body shocked the community.
Context #2 | Noun

legal context

The division or partition of an estate or property among co-owners or heirs. Dismemberment can involve the physical splitting of assets or the allocation of shares.

Synonyms

allocation, division, partition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dismemberment

This term is often used in contexts where something is brutally or violently taken apart. It has a significantly negative connotation.

  • The crime scene indicated a gruesome dismemberment of the body.
  • Historical accounts mentioned the dismemberment of the ancient empire.
partition

This term is used when something is split into distinct parts, often referring to physical or metaphorical barriers. It can also refer to divisions of countries or regions.

  • A partition was built to create two separate offices within the large room.
  • The partition of the region led to the creation of two new countries.
allocation

This term is often used in contexts where resources, funds, or responsibilities are distributed or assigned to different people or groups.

  • The government announced the allocation of additional funds for the education sector.
  • Proper allocation of tasks is crucial for the success of the project.
division

This term is commonly used in various contexts to indicate the act of separating something into parts, such as in organizational, mathematical, or social contexts.

  • The division of the company into different departments improved efficiency.
  • Complex division problems can be challenging for students.

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer explained the process of dismemberment of the inherited estate.
  • After the divorce, there was a dismemberment of the couple's shared property.

Translations

Translations of the word "dismemberment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desmembramento

🇮🇳 विच्छेदन

🇩🇪 Zerstückelung

🇮🇩 pemotongan

🇺🇦 розчленування

🇵🇱 rozczłonkowanie

🇯🇵 四肢切断

🇫🇷 démembrement

🇪🇸 desmembramiento

🇹🇷 parçalama

🇰🇷 절단

🇸🇦 تقطيع

🇨🇿 rozčlenění

🇸🇰 rozčlenenie

🇨🇳 肢解

🇸🇮 razkosanje

🇮🇸 aflimun

🇰🇿 бөлшектеу

🇬🇪 დაშლა

🇦🇿 parçalama

🇲🇽 desmembramiento

Etymology

The term 'dismemberment' originated from the Middle English word 'dismembren', which came from Old French 'desmembrer'. It has been used since the 14th century to describe the act of separating limbs or dividing property. The concept of dismemberment has been prevalent in various cultures throughout history, often associated with gruesome practices or legal divisions.

See also: dismember, member, members, membership.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,485, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.