What is the meaning of analysis?

noun

• An investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole.
• The abstract separation of a whole into its constituent parts in order to study the parts and their relations.
  • synonyms: analytic thinking
• A form of literary criticism in which the structure of a piece of writing is analyzed.
• The use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e. G., `the father of the bride' instead of `the bride's father'.
• A branch of mathematics involving calculus and the theory of limits; sequences and series and integration and differentiation.
• A set of techniques for exploring underlying motives and a method of treating various mental disorders; based on the theories of Sigmund Freud.
  • usage: "his physician recommended psychoanalysis"
  • synonyms: psychoanalysis, depth psychology