Comminute

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Comminute \Com"mi*nute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Comminuted}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Comminuting}.] [L. comminutus, p. p. of
     comminuere to comminute; com- + minuere to lessen. See
     {Minute}.]
     To reduce to minute particles, or to a fine powder; to
     pulverize; to triturate; to grind; as, to comminute chalk or


     bones; to comminute food with the teeth. --Pennant.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Comminuted fracture}. See under {Fracture}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  comminute
       v : reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading;
           "grind the spices in a mortar"; "mash the garlic" [syn: {grind},
            {mash}, {crunch}, {bray}]