1. Having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midrib
   "The dissected leaves of the plant were deeply cut, almost to the central vein";
   - cleft

1. Cut open or cut apart
   "dissect the bodies for analysis"
    
2. Make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features
   "dissect today's financial market";
   - analyze [N. Amer], analyse [Brit, Cdn], break down, take apart

See also: compound

Type of: act, consider, cut, move, reckon, regard, see, view

Encyclopedia: Dissected