anatomy

Definition

The art of studying the different parts of any organized body, to discover their situation, structure, and economy.

Etymology

From Middle English anatomie, from Old French anatomie, from Latin anatomia, from Ancient Greek *ἀνατομία (*anatomía), from ἀνατομή (anatomḗ, “dissection”, literally “cutting up”), from ἀνά (aná, “up”) + τέμνω (témnō, “to cut, incise”). By surface analysis, ana- + -tomy. Doublet of ottomy.

Example Sentences

• "Animal anatomy is also called zootomy; vegetable anatomy, phytotomy; and human anatomy, anthropotomy."
• "Let the muscles be well inserted and bound together, according to the knowledge of them which is given us by anatomy."
• "the anatomy of a discourse"

Related Words