dissected

1 6.7

A plant part like a leaf or frond with deep cuts that reach almost to its middle vein

adjective
/dɪˈsɛktɪd/

Specialized

: disecado

Many maple leaves are deeply dissected, giving them a distinctive shape.

Examples

The fern has dissected fronds, making its appearance delicate and feathery.
The botanist noted that the dissected margin was a key identifying feature of the specimen.
The dissected leaf revealed its intricate structure.
In biology class, we observed a dissected flower.
Many maple leaves are deeply dissected, giving them a distinctive shape.
The fern has dissected fronds, making its appearance delicate and feathery.
The botanist noted that the dissected margin was a key identifying feature of the specimen.

Synonyms

cleft

vsdissected

10 6.3

Divided into two parts along a natural line like a chin or the roof of the mouth

forms deep lobes reaching nearly to the midrib rather than simple splits

parted

vsdissected

Specialized

8 7.7

A leaf or petal with edges cut almost to the base making separate parts

has lobes that reach almost to the midrib rather than base cuts

deep-lobed

vsdissected

Specialized

7.2

Leaves or body parts that have deep cuts making clear rounded sections, like oak leaves

has lobes that reach almost to the midrib

How Divided

dissected

Specialized

1 6.7

cleft

10 6.3

lobed

1 6.5

toothed

4 3.9

undivided

20 4.6

Surface Forms

dissected positive

Morphology

dissected = dissect (semi-transparent) = dissect + ed

The adjective clearly comes from the verb 'dissect', but the botanical sense is more specialized than the general idea of being cut apart.

Etymology

Dissected comes from Latin parts dis- meaning 'apart' and secare meaning 'to cut', and you can see the same root in section, which means 'a cut' or 'part'. So a dissected leaf looks like it has been 'cut apart' into deep cuts almost to the central vein.