The DICT Development Group

  Analysis \A*nal"y*sis\, n.; pl. Analyses. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to
     unloose, to dissolve, to resolve into its elements; ? up + ?
     to loose. See Loose.]
     1. A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses
        or of the intellect, into its constituent or original
        elements; an examination of the component parts of a
        subject, each separately, as the words which compose a
        sentence, the tones of a tune, or the simple propositions
        which enter into an argument. It is opposed to
        synthesis.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Chem.) The separation of a compound substance, by
        chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to
        ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how
        much of each element is present. The former is called
        qualitative, and the latter quantitative analysis.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Logic) The tracing of things to their source, and the
        resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. (Math.) The resolving of problems by reducing the
        conditions that are in them to equations.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5.
        (a) A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a
            discourse, disposed in their natural order.
        (b) A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of
            a science. In this sense it is nearly synonymous with
            synopsis.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     6. (Nat. Hist.) The process of ascertaining the name of a
        species, or its place in a system of classification, by
        means of an analytical table or key.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Ultimate, Proximate, Qualitative, Quantitative, and
     Volumetric analysis. (Chem.) See under Ultimate,
        Proximate, Qualitative, etc.
        [1913 Webster]

  analyses
       See analysis

  analysis
       n 1: an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their
            relations in making up the whole
       2: the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent
          parts in order to study the parts and their relations
          [syn: analytic thinking] [ant: synthesis]
       3: a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a
          piece of writing is analyzed
       4: the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g.,
          `the father of the bride' instead of `the bride's father'
       5: a branch of mathematics involving calculus and the theory of
          limits; sequences and series and integration and
          differentiation
       6: a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a
          method of treating various mental disorders; based on the
          theories of Sigmund Freud; "his physician recommended
          psychoanalysis" [syn: psychoanalysis, depth psychology]
       [also: analyses (pl)]