disassemble

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/dɪs.əˈsɛm.bəl/
To take apart something into its component pieces, or to cause a group or object to break up or disperse.

Examples

  • We need to disassemble the algorithm to understand its steps.
  • Authorities disassembled the rally when it turned violent.
  • The mayor's speech disassembled the gathering of demonstrators.
  • We need to disassemble the old desk before moving it.
  • She disassembled the model airplane to study its parts.

Similar words

examinetake apartbreak upcleardeconstructdislocateparseinspectdismantleunmake

Meanings

Take apart

verb
technical
neutral
To separate a device, structure, or object into its component parts.

Usage

Use disassemble when describing the act of taking something apart into pieces, such as a machine, furniture, or electronic device.

Examples

  • The technician disassembled the printer to replace the ink cartridge.
  • We need to disassemble the old desk before moving it.
  • He carefully disassembled the watch to clean the gears.
  • The crew disassembled the stage set after the performance.
  • She disassembled the model airplane to study its parts.

Common mistakes

The car disassembled easily is a common misuse; the car does not take itself apart.
IncorrectCorrect
The car disassembled easily The car was disassembled easily
She disassembled the idea She broke down the idea

Similar words

take apartdismantlebreak downtear downdeconstructundoseparatedisjoinunmakeunassemble

Cause to break up

verb
physical
neutral
To make something fall apart, break, or scatter into pieces.

Usage

Use disassemble when an action causes an object or material to break into fragments or to scatter.

Examples

  • The explosion disassembled the building's façade.
  • Strong winds disassembled the tent's poles.
  • The impact disassembled the ceramic vase into shards.
  • The faulty weld disassembled the pipe under pressure.
  • The sudden shock disassembled the delicate instrument.

Common mistakes

Saying the glass disassembled is incorrect; the glass was broken.
IncorrectCorrect
The glass disassembled The glass was broken
The rope disassembled under tension The rope snapped under tension

Similar words

break upshatterfragmentscatterdisintegratecrumblesplinterrupturetear apartcollapse

Disperse a crowd

verb
political
neutral
To cause a gathering of people to break up and go their separate ways.

Usage

Use disassemble in historical or formal contexts when a crowd, protest, or assembly is forced to disperse.

Examples

  • The police disassembled the protest after the curfew began.
  • Authorities disassembled the rally when it turned violent.
  • The mayor's speech disassembled the gathering of demonstrators.
  • A sudden rainstorm disassembled the outdoor concert crowd.
  • The commander ordered troops to disassemble the enemy encampment.

Common mistakes

The crowd disassembled is wrong; the crowd was dispersed.
IncorrectCorrect
The crowd disassembled after the speech The crowd was dispersed after the speech
Police disassembled the protest Police dispersed the protest

Similar words

dispersedisbandscatterbreak updismissclearbreak apartdissolvebreakdislocate

Analyze by parts

verb
technical
neutral
To break down an argument, theory, or system into its component elements for examination.

Usage

Use disassemble when speaking about the systematic analysis of ideas, arguments, or processes.

Examples

  • The scholar disassembled the philosophical text to reveal its underlying assumptions.
  • We need to disassemble the algorithm to understand its steps.
  • He disassembled the argument, exposing its logical flaws.
  • The team disassembled the project plan to identify bottlenecks.
  • She disassembled the poem, line by line, to study its imagery.

Common mistakes

Saying the theory disassembled is inaccurate; the theory was analyzed.
IncorrectCorrect
The theory disassembled easily The theory was analyzed easily
She disassembled the problem She broke down the problem

Similar words

analyzedeconstructbreak downexamineparseinspectstudyunpackdissectevaluate

Usage

Use disassemble for literal dismantling, for breaking up objects, for dispersing gatherings, and for analytical breakdowns; avoid it when a simpler verb like ‘break’ or ‘scatter’ fits better.

Common mistakes

The crowd disassembled is a frequent error; the correct verb is ‘dispersed’ or ‘disbanded’. Likewise, saying a car disassembled suggests it acted on its own, whereas the proper form is ‘was disassembled’.

Etymology

From the prefix dis‑ ‘apart’ + assemble, which comes from Latin assembla‑ ‘to bring together’. The verb originally meant ‘to disperse a crowd’ and later developed the sense ‘to take apart’.

FAQ

What is the past tense of disassemble?

The past tense is disassembled.

What noun is formed from disassemble?

The noun form is disassembly.

How does disassemble differ from dismantle?

Disassemble emphasizes taking something apart into pieces, while dismantle often implies removing parts for repair or decommissioning.

Can disassemble be used for crowds?

In historical or formal contexts, disassemble can mean to disperse a crowd, but modern usage prefers disperse or disband.

What is the origin of the word disassemble?

It comes from the Latin prefix dis‑ meaning ‘apart’ combined with assemble, meaning ‘to bring together’.

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