synapsis

[ si-nap-sis ]
/ sɪˈnæp sɪs /

noun, plural syn·ap·ses [si-nap-seez] /sɪˈnæp siz/.

Also called syndesis. Cell Biology. the pairing of homologous chromosomes, one from each parent, during early meiosis.
Physiology. synapse.

Origin of synapsis

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek sýnapsis junction, equivalent to synap- (stem of synáptein to make contact, equivalent to syn- syn- + ( h)áptein to touch) + -sis -sis

OTHER WORDS FROM synapsis

syn·ap·tic [si-nap-tik] /sɪˈnæp tɪk/, syn·ap·ti·cal, adjective syn·ap·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for synapsis

British Dictionary definitions for synapsis

synapsis
/ (sɪˈnæpsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

cytology the association in pairs of homologous chromosomes at the start of meiosis
another word for synapse

Word Origin for synapsis

C19: from New Latin, from Greek sunapsis junction, from sunaptein to join together, from syn- + haptein to connect

Medical definitions for synapsis

synapsis
[ sĭ-năpsĭs ]

n. pl. syn•ap•ses (-sēz)

The side-by-side association of homologous paternal and maternal chromosomes during early meiotic prophase.