dismembers

Dismembers is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb dismember. The core meaning is to separate the limbs from a body, to physically disassemble a person or animal, or to divide something into parts. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe breaking up a larger structure, organization, or system into smaller units.

Etymology and forms: The verb comes from Old French desmembrer, from des- 'apart' + membre 'limb', from Latin membrum. In English, the word has been in use since the Late Middle Ages. Related forms include dismember (the base form), dismembered (past tense), dismembering (present participle), and the noun dismemberment. The present tense third-person form is dismembers; the past tense is dismembered; the present participle is dismembering.

Usage notes: In medical or forensic contexts, the term refers to deliberate separation of limbs. In non-literal uses, it describes the wholesale breakup of organizations or systems. The term is commonly found in legal, historical, crime reporting, and academic discussions. Writers typically avoid graphic descriptions and rely on neutral, non-graphic language when discussing sensitive subjects.

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