abscission

[ ab-sizh-uh n, -sish- ]
/ æbˈsɪʒ ən, -ˈsɪʃ- /

noun

the act of cutting off; sudden termination.
Botany. the normal separation of flowers, fruit, and leaves from plants.

Origin of abscission

First recorded in 1605–15, abscission is from the Latin word abscissiōn- (stem of abscissiō). See abscissa, -ion

British Dictionary definitions for abscission

abscission
/ (æbˈsɪʒən, -ˈsɪʃ-) /

noun

the separation of leaves, branches, flowers, and bark from plants by the formation of an abscission layer
the act of cutting off

Word Origin for abscission

C17: from Latin abscissiōn-, from ab- 1 + scissiō a cleaving

Medical definitions for abscission

abscission
[ ăb-sĭzhən ]

n.

The act of cutting off or away.

Scientific definitions for abscission

abscission
[ ăb-sĭzhən ]

The separation of a leaf, flower, or fruit from a plant as a result of natural structural and chemical changes.♦ The abscission zone is a layer of weak, thin-walled cells that form across the base of the plant part where the break eventually occurs. A corky layer containing suberin forms beneath the abscission zone to protect the plant.