Full Idea
Divide a whole into its primitives, then try to get definitions of these. Thus you establish the kind, and then study the attributes through the primitive common items.
Gist of Idea
Aim to get definitions of the primitive components, thus establishing the kind, and work towards the attributes
Source
Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE], 96b16)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics (2nd ed)', ed/tr. Barnes,Jonathan [OUP 1993], p.65