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.