apophysis

[ uh-pof-uh-sis ]

noun,plural a·poph·y·ses [uh-pof-uh-seez]. /əˈpɒf əˌsiz/.
  1. Anatomy, Botany. an outgrowth; process; projection or protuberance.

  2. Architecture. apophyge.

Origin of apophysis

1
1605–15; <New Latin <Greek: offshoot, equivalent to apo-apo- + phýsis growth, equivalent to phý(ein) to bring forth + -sis-sis

Other words from apophysis

  • a·poph·y·sate [uh-pof-uh-sit, -seyt], /əˈpɒf ə sɪt, -ˌseɪt/, adjective
  • ap·o·phys·e·al, ap·o·phys·i·al [ap-uh-fiz-ee-uhl, uh-pof-uh-see-uhl], /ˌæp əˈfɪz i əl, əˌpɒf əˈsi əl/, a·poph·y·sar·y [uh-pof-uh-ser-ee], /əˈpɒf əˌsɛr i/, adjective
  • in·ter·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for apophysis

apophysis

/ (əˈpɒfɪsɪs) /


nounplural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. a process, outgrowth, or swelling from part of an animal or plant

  2. geology a tapering offshoot from a larger igneous intrusive mass

Origin of apophysis

1
C17: via New Latin from Greek apophusis a sideshoot, from apo- + phusis growth

Derived forms of apophysis

  • apophysate (əˈpɒfɪsɪt, -seɪt), adjective
  • apophysial (ˌæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012