-lysis
a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words: analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.
RELATED CONTENT
A Long List of Affixes: Suffixes, Prefixes, and Combining FormsSuffixes -able, -ible, -ile: (form adjs) able to, fit to, worthy, capable; apt to; subject to being ~-ed -ac: one affect with -ac, -al, -ane, -ar, -ary, -ch, -ese, -ic, -ical, -id, -ile, -ine, -ish, -ory: like, of, pertaining to; characterized by -aceae: families of plants -aceous, -ous: resemblance to a substance; full of -acy, -age, -ance, -ancy, -asm, -dom, -ence, -ency, -hood, -ism, -ity, -ment, -mony, -ness, -ry, -ship, …
Nearby words
Origin of -lysis
From Greek; see origin at lysis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
-lysis
n combining form
indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking downelectrolysis; paralysis
Word Origin for -lysis
from Greek, from lusis a loosening; see lysis
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/medical word-forming element meaning "loosening, dissolving, dissolution," from Greek lysis "a loosening, setting free, releasing, dissolution," from lyein "to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie" (see lose).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
-lysis
suff.
Decomposition; dissolving; disintegration:hydrolysis.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.