Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - analyze

 transitive verb  (-lyzed; -lyzing)  Etymology: probably irregular from analysis  Date: 1587  1. to study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of by analysis ~ a traffic pattern  2. to subject to scientific or grammatical analysis  3. psycho~  • analyzability noun  • analyzable adjective  • ~r noun Synonyms:  ~, dissect, break down mean to divide a complex whole into its parts or elements. ~ suggests separating or distinguishing the component parts of something (as a substance, a process, a situation) so as to discover its true nature or inner relationships ~d the problem of the trade deficit. dissect suggests a searching analysis by laying bare parts or pieces for individual scrutiny commentators dissected every word of the President's statement. break down implies a reducing to simpler parts or divisions break down the budget.