To make a gathered group disperse, or for such a group to break up and scatter.
Examples
The soldiers were ordered to disassemble the unruly crowd.
At the bell, the assembly disassembled into the street.
The old account says the mob disassembled before dusk.
Officials tried to disassemble the gathering without violence.
The crowd disassembled when the rain began.
The constable’s arrival disassembled the noisy group.
In that older sense, disassemble meant to scatter people who had assembled.
Similar words
disperse
scatter
break up
dissolve
Etymology
From dis- meaning apart or away plus assemble. The earliest sense was to disperse a gathering, and the now-common take-apart sense developed later.
FAQ
What does disassemble mean?
Disassemble means to take something apart into separate pieces, especially for repair, inspection, transport, or study.
Can disassemble be intransitive?
Yes. Something can disassemble if it comes apart into pieces, as in the frame disassembles for storage.
What does disassemble mean in computing?
In computing, disassemble means to translate machine code or object code into assembly-language instructions.
Is disassemble the same as decompile?
No. Disassemble produces assembly language, while decompile aims for higher-level source-like code.
What is the opposite of disassemble?
The usual opposite is assemble. Other opposites include build, construct, and put together.
Can disassemble mean scatter a crowd?
Yes, but that use is archaic or historical. Modern English usually says disperse or scatter.
Is disassemble a regular verb?
Yes. The past tense and past participle are disassembled, and the present participle is disassembling.
What is the difference between disassemble and dismantle?
Disassemble often suggests separating parts that may be inspected or reassembled. Dismantle can suggest removing a structure or taking it out of service.
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