\A*nal"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Analyses}. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to
unloose, to dissolve, to resolve into its elements; ? up + ?
to loose. See {Loose}.]
1. A resolution of anything, whether an object of the senses
   or of the intellect, into its constituent or original
   elements; an examination of the component parts of a
   subject, each separately, as the words which compose a
   sentence, the tones of a tune, or the simple propositions
   which enter into an argument. It is opposed to
   {synthesis}.
2. (Chem.) The separation of a compound substance, by
   chemical processes, into its constituents, with a view to
   ascertain either (a) what elements it contains, or (b) how
   much of each element is present. The former is called
   {qualitative}, and the latter {quantitative analysis}.
3. (Logic) The tracing of things to their source, and the
   resolving of knowledge into its original principles.
4. (Math.) The resolving of problems by reducing the
   conditions that are in them to equations.
5.
   (a) A syllabus, or table of the principal heads of a
       discourse, disposed in their natural order.
   (b) A brief, methodical illustration of the principles of
       a science. In this sense it is nearly synonymous with
       synopsis.
6. (Nat. Hist.) The process of ascertaining the name of a
   species, or its place in a system of classification, by
   means of an analytical table or key.
{Ultimate}, {Proximate}, {Qualitative}, {Quantitative}, and
{Volumetric analysis}. (Chem.) See under {Ultimate},
   {Proximate}, {Qualitative}, etc.