To cut off or separate the limbs or parts from a body, or to divide and break apart a group or organization.
From Old French 'desmembrer' combining 'dis-' (apart) and 'member' (limb) from Latin 'membrum'. The metaphorical sense (dividing organizations) developed in English.
While gruesome in literal use, 'dismember' is fascinating linguistically because it's one of few English words where 'member' means limb rather than a person who joins a group.
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