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-lysis

1 American  
  1. a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words.

    analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.


lysis 2 American  
[lahy-sis] / ˈlaɪ sɪs /

noun

plural

lyses
  1. Immunology, Biochemistry. the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.

  2. Medicine/Medical. the gradual recession of a disease.


lysis 1 British  
/ ˈlaɪsɪs /

noun

  1. the destruction or dissolution of cells by the action of a particular lysin

  2. med the gradual reduction in severity of the symptoms of a disease

"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

-lysis 2 British  

combining form

  1. indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking down

    electrolysis

    paralysis

"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

lysis Scientific  
/ līsĭs /
  1. The disintegration of a cell resulting from destruction of its membrane by a chemical substance, especially an antibody or enzyme.


Etymology

Origin of -lysis1

From Greek; lysis

Origin of lysis1

1815–25; < New Latin < Greek lýsis a loosening, releasing, equivalent to ly-, variant stem of lȳ́ ( ein ) to loosen, release + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"The elimination of T cells by NK cells is triggered by an intrinsic mechanism of the T cells. The activated T cells temporarily identify themselves as targets for NK-induced cell lysis," explains Michael Kilian, first author of the publication, and adds: "This may limit excessive activation and expansion of T cells as a control mechanism to curb destructive immune responses."

From Science Daily

And then there’s the fourth moment, which is what Jung called the lysis, where the energy of your life wants to go.

From Los Angeles Times

Phages then put a halt to lysis — the process of replicating and breaking out of their hosts — instead staying hidden in a sluggish state called lysogeny1.

From Nature

Mille vœux de bonheur à Lysis et à Michel Houellebecq pour leur merveilleux mariage et merci de nous avoir laissés partager votre bonheur ....

From BBC

France's former first lady posted a picture on Instagram of the writer and his new wife Lysis on their wedding day last year and thanked him for "letting us share your happiness".

From BBC