dismantle
verbattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom/[dɪsˈmæntʰəɫ]/
- United States/[dɪsˈmæ̃nɾɫ̩]/
- United States/[dɪsˈmæ̃nɫ̩]/
- //dɪsˈmæntəl//
- /[dɪsˈmænʔəɫ]/
To take apart; to disassemble; to take to pieces.
verb
- 1
To take apart; to disassemble; to take to pieces.
In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. The welfare state is dismantled. Essential public services are cut so that the rich may pay less tax.
This story of how American originality lost its way is arresting and well told. On an alternate timeline without Donald Trump in office dismantling the American scientific establishment and Elon Musk kneecapping the American state, it might have been the manifesto of a new politics.
- 2
To disprove a discourse, claim or argument.
If we can dismantle hate rhetoric and explain why it is, in fact, illogical, is the language no longer dangerous?
- 3
To divest, strip of dress or covering.
This is most ſtrange, that ſhe, who even but now Was your beſt object, the argument of your praiſe, Balme of your age, moſt beſt, moſt deereſt, Should in this trice of time commit a thing So monſtrous, to diſmantell ſo many foulds of fauour, […]
- 4
To remove fittings or furnishings from.
Etymology
From Middle French desmanteler, itself from des- (“dis-”), mantel (“coat”) + -er (verbal suffix). By surface analysis, dis- + mantle. Compare typologically uncloak, reveal, unmask.
Forms
- past tense
- dismantled
- past participle
- dismantled
- present participle
- dismantling
- third person singular
- dismantles
dismantle · To take apart; to disassemble; to take to pieces.
dismiss · To discharge; to end the employment or service of.dismissal · The act of sending someone away.dismissed · Not having been considered; treated as unimportant; rejected.