I.to cut asunder, cut in pieces, cut up, dissect (post-Aug.; “esp. freq. in Pliny the elder— cf.: seco, meto, findo, scindo): unionem,” Plin. 9, 35, 58, § 121: “pectus,” id. 11, 37, 70, § 185: “caput viperae,” id. 29, 4, 21, § 69: “mures,” id. 30, 9, 23, § 76: “ranas,” id. 32, 9, 36, § 111: “multos medios serra,” Suet. Calig. 27; App. M. 8, p. 214.—
II. Trop.: “dissecari cordibus suis,” to be cut to the heart, Vulg. Act. 7, 54 al.