dismantle
UK[dɪsˈmæntl̩]US[dɪsˈmæntl̩]
v
to take a machine or structure apart so that it is in separate pieces
v
to end an organization or system gradually in an organized way
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
mantle
dis
apart
mantle
cloak, covering
Etymology
the word "dismantle" entered english in the late 16th century from the old french desmanteler, which meant "to strip of a cloak." the french term was built from the prefix des- (expressing reversal, from latin dis-) and mantel (meaning "cloak"). the literal sense was to remove a protective or concealing outer layer. over time, the meaning broadened from the specific act of removing a cloak to the more general process of taking apart any covering or structure, such as fortifications, and eventually to the modern sense of systematically taking apart machinery or organizations.
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart) + mantle (cloak, covering)
dis- (latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart, away, reversal"); mantle (latin origin via old french, meaning "cloak, covering," from latin mantellum)
Examples
the crew worked for days to dismantle the old stage set.
the government began to dismantle the outdated regulatory framework.
before moving, we had to dismantle the large bookcase.