Dis*mem"ber (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dismembered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dismembering.] [OF. desmembrer, F. d'emembrer; pref. des- (L. dis) + OF. & F. membre limb. See Member.]
1.
To tear limb from limb; to dilacerate; to disjoin member from member; to tear or cut in pieces; to break up.
Fowls obscene dismembered his remains.
Pope.
A society lacerated and dismembered.
Gladstone.
By whose hands the blow should be struck which would dismember that once mighty empire.
Buckle.
2.
To deprive of membership.
[Obs.]
They were dismembered by vote of the house.
R. North.
Syn. -- To disjoint; dislocate; dilacerate; mutilate; divide; sever.
© Webster 1913.