dismantle

[dis-man-tl]

verb (used with object)

dismantled, dismantling 

1. to deprive or strip of apparatus, furniture, equipment, defenses, etc..

   to dismantle a ship; to dismantle a fortress.

2. to disassemble or pull down; take apart.

   They dismantled the machine and shipped it in pieces.

3. to divest of dress, covering, etc..

   The wind dismantled the trees of their leaves.

dismantle

/ dɪsˈmæntəl /

verb

1. to take apart

2. to demolish or raze

3. to strip of covering

Other Word Forms

• dismantlement noun
• dismantler noun
• undismantled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

From the Middle French word desmanteler, dating back to 1570–80. See dis- ¹, mantle

Word History and Origins

Origin of dismantle¹

C17: from Old French desmanteler to remove a cloak from; see _mantle

Example Sentences

Babcock at Rosyth is also running a trial project, begun earlier this year, to dismantle 23 retired submarines which were powered by nuclear reactors.

From BBC

ACE chairman Charles Rivkin said it was a "resounding victory in its fight to detect, deter, and dismantle criminal perpetrators of digital piracy".

From BBC

There are growing indications that the newly constructed America-centric trade regime could be dismantled in the days ahead by the US judiciary.

From BBC

The goal, the statement said, “is to work together to dismantle transnational organized crime through enhanced cooperation.”

From Los Angeles Times

They literally want to move the country backward and cause destruction; why else would government agencies dismantle cyber defenses?

From Salon

Related Words

• break up 
• demolish 
• destroy 
• disassemble 
• raze 
• undo 
• wreck