[an.a.lyze] vt -lyzed ; -lyz.ing [prob. irreg. fr. analysis] (1587) 1: to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of by analysis "~ a traffic pattern"
2: to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis
3: psychoanalyze -- an.a.lyz.abil.i.ty n -- an.a.lyz.able adj -- an.a.lyz.er n syn analyze, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements. analyze suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships "analyzed the problem of the trade deficit". dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny "commentators dissected every word of the President's statement". break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions "break down the budget".