dehiscence

[ dih-his-uh ns ]
/ dɪˈhɪs əns /

noun

Biology. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
Surgery. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.

Origin of dehiscence

1820–30; < New Latin dēhiscentia, equivalent to Latin dēhiscent- stem of dēhiscēns, present participle of dēhiscere (see dehisce) + -ia; see -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM dehiscence

de·his·cent, adjective non·de·his·cent, adjective

Words nearby dehiscence

degust, degustation, degut, dehire, dehisce, dehiscence, dehiscent, dehiwala-mount lavinia, dehooker, dehorn, dehort

Example sentences from the Web for dehiscence

Medical definitions for dehiscence

dehiscence
[ dĭ-hĭs′əns ]

n.

A bursting open or splitting along natural or sutured lines.

Scientific definitions for dehiscence

dehiscence
[ dĭ-hĭs′əns ]

The spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents. Compare indehiscence.

Other words from dehiscence

dehisce verb