anatomy
anatomy Lexical Profile
anatomy Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms, especially as revealed by dissection and the separation of parts.
"First-year medical students spend hours studying human anatomy in the laboratory."
The bodily structure of a plant or animal, or the human body itself.
"The documentary explained how the bird's unique anatomy allows it to hover in midair."
A detailed examination or analysis of the structure or intricate workings of a subject or event.
"The historian's latest book offers a fascinating anatomy of a political crisis."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Anatomy' refers to the physical structure of an organism, whereas 'physiology' refers to the biological functions and processes of those parts.
• Rhymes for anatomy
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French or Late Latin 'anatomia' from Ancient Greek 'anatomē' ('dissection'), formed from 'ana-' ('up') and 'temnein' ('to cut').