anatomy

noun

The science that deals with the form and structure of organic bodies; anatomical structure or organization.

The art of studying the different parts of any organized body, to discover their situation, structure, and economy.

The physical or functional organization of an organism, or part of it.

(countable) A treatise or book on anatomy.

(colloquial) The form of an individual.

(euphemistic) The human body, especially in reference to the genitals.

(by extension) The act of dividing anything, corporeal or intellectual, for the purpose of examining its parts.

(countable, archaic) A skeleton or other dead body.

Roots

anaana- · Greek · up, back temno-tom · Greek · cutting, section

Synonyms for anatomy

zootomyadj splanchnologyadj osteologyn myologyn anatomistn

Synonyms & related words for anatomy

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Words related to anatomy

Explore words related to anatomy — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include dorsad, enarthrosis, zygapophysis, parotic, biparietal, ileac, diapophysis, basion. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for anatomy

Common synonyms for anatomy include zootomy, splanchnology, osteology, myology, anatomist — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does anatomy come from?

The word anatomy breaks down into 2 roots of Greek origin: ana-, from Greek ana (“up, back”); and -tom, from Greek temno (“cutting, section”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.