tr.v. dis·man·tled, dis·man·tling, dis·man·tles 1. a. To take apart; disassemble; tear down. b. To put an end to in a gradual systematic way: dismantling the cumbersome regulations for interstate trucking. 2. To strip of furnishings or equipment: dismantled the house before knocking it down. 3. To strip of covering or clothing. [Obsolete French desmanteler, to raze fortifications round a town, from Old French : des-, dis- + (em)manteler, to cover with a coat, shelter (ultimately from mantel, cloak; see MANTLE).] dis·mantle·ment n. |
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