Analysis - Definition
analysis
n 1: an investigation of the component parts of a whole and
their relations in making up the whole
2: the abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts
in order to study the parts and their relations [syn:
analysis, analytic thinking] [ant: synthesis,
synthetic thinking]
3: a form of literary criticism in which the structure of a
piece of writing is analyzed
4: the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g.,
`the father of the bride' instead of `the bride's father'
5: a branch of mathematics involving calculus and the theory of
limits; sequences and series and integration and
differentiation
6: a set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a
method of treating various mental disorders; based on the
theories of Sigmund Freud; "his physician recommended
psychoanalysis" [syn: psychoanalysis, analysis, depth
psychology]