/ əˈnætəmi; NAmE / noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] the scientific study of the structure of human or animal bodies
2.
[ C , U ] the structure of an animal or a plant :
the anatomy of the horse
human anatomy
3.
[ C ] ( humorous ) a person's body :
Various parts of his anatomy were clearly visible.
4.
[ C ] ( formal ) an examination of what sth is like or why it happens :
an anatomy of the current recession
► ana·tom·ical / ˌænəˈtɒmɪkl; NAmE -ˈtɑːm-/ adjective :
anatomical diagrams
► ana·tom·ic·al·ly / -kli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French anatomie or late Latin anatomia , from Greek , from ana- up + tomia cutting (from temnein to cut).