anatomy

a-nat-o-my · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms.

  2. 2.

    The bodily structure of an organism or any of its parts.

  3. 3.

    A detailed analysis or examination of something.

Forms

plural: anatomies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    anatomy lesson — An instructional session about body structure; also used figuratively.
  • •
    gross anatomy — The study of body structures visible to the naked eye.

Related words

See also: biology, body, physiology, structure
Synonyms: body, form, physique, structure

Etymology

From Late Latin anatomia, from Greek anatomia ("dissection"), from ana- ("up") + temnein ("to cut"). The term originally referred to the practice of dissecting bodies to study their structure.