analysis

[uh-nal-uh-sis]

noun

plural

analyses 

1. the separating of any material or abstract entity into its constituent elements (synthesis ).

2. this process as a method of studying the nature of something or of determining its essential features and their relations.

   the grammatical analysis of a sentence.

3. a presentation, usually in writing, of the results of this process.

   The paper published an analysis of the political situation.

4. a philosophical method of exhibiting complex concepts or propositions as compounds or functions of more basic ones.

5. Mathematics.

   1. an investigation based on the properties of numbers.

   2. the discussion of a problem by algebra, as opposed to geometry.

   3. the branch of mathematics consisting of calculus and its higher developments.

   4. a system of calculation, as combinatorial analysis or vector analysis.

   5. a method of proving a proposition by assuming the result and working backward to something that is known to be true.

6. Chemistry.

   1. intentionally produced decomposition or separation of materials into their ingredients or elements, as to find their kind or quantity.

   2. the ascertainment of the kind or amount of one or more of the constituents of materials, whether obtained in separate form or not.

7. psychoanalysis.

8. Computers.,  systems analysis.

analysis

/ əˈnælɪsɪs /

noun

1. the division of a physical or abstract whole into its constituent parts to examine or determine their relationship or value Compare synthesis

2. a statement of the results of this

3. short for psychoanalysis

4. chem

   1. the decomposition of a substance into its elements, radicals, or other constituents in order to determine the kinds of constituents present ( qualitative analysis ) or the amount of each constituent ( quantitative analysis )

   2. the result obtained by such a determination

5. linguistics the use of word order together with word function to express syntactic relations in a language, as opposed to the use of inflections Compare synthesis

6. maths the branch of mathematics principally concerned with the properties of functions, largely arising out of calculus

7. philosophy (in the writings of Kant) the separation of a concept from another that contains it Compare synthesis

8. after everything has been given due consideration

analysis

1. The separation of a substance into its constituent elements, usually by chemical means, for the study and identification of each component.

2. ◆ Qualitative analysis determines what substances are present in a compound.

3. ◆ Quantitative analysis determines how much of each substance is present in a compound.

4. A branch of mathematics concerned with limits and convergence and principally involving differential calculus, integral calculus, sequences, and series.

Other Word Forms

• misanalysis noun
• overanalysis noun
• reanalysis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of analysis¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from New Latin, from Greek, equivalent to analȳ́(ein) “to loosen up” ( ana- “up, against, back” + lȳ́ein “to loosen”) + -sis noun suffix; ana-, -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of analysis¹

C16: from New Latin, from Greek analusis, literally: a dissolving, from analuein, from _ana- + luein to loosen

Example Sentences

Independent analysis by a trusted consumer advocacy group has found that several of Australia's most popular, and expensive, sunscreens are not providing the protection they claim to, kicking off a national scandal.

From BBC

After a bit of analysis comes the humor, which should be sharp but cunning, never the obvious punchline that you might see online or hear tossed out in the office kitchen.

From Salon

A relatively low supply of scrap steel in China, versus demand, has slowed the rollout of electric arc furnaces there, according to some analyses.

From BBC

But he didn’t stop there, offering an analysis of judicial precedent that was a moral tour de force.

From Salon

The Tax Foundation, a business-friendly think tank, pointed this out in its analysis of the bill’s effects when it passed in July.

From Salon

Related Words

• evaluation 
• finding 
• interpretation 
• judgment 
• opinion 
• reasoning 
• report 
• study 
• summary 

When To Use

Plural word for analysis

The plural form of analysis is analyses, pronounced [ uh-nal-uh-seez ]. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -is are also formed in the same way, including hypothesis/hypotheses, crisis/crises, and axis/axes. A similar change is made when pluralizing appendix as appendices. Irregular plurals that are formed like analyses derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin and Greek. Do you know: What is the plural of thesis?