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• lysis
  lysis

  noun

  the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.
• -lysis
  -lysis

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

lysis

¹ American  

[lahy-sis] / ˈlaɪ sɪs /

noun

lyses plural

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

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

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-lysis ² American  

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

   analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.

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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

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-lysis ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking down

   electrolysis

   paralysis

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lysis Scientific  

/ lī′sĭs /

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lyses
  plural

Etymology

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

Origin of -lysis²

From Greek; see origin at lysis

Example Sentences

Fancy Agathon asking questions about the Volstead Act, Lysis hearing that the U. S. has hundred of colleges and also Kansans who believe in an ape-shaped Devil that invented grapes.

From Time Magazine Archive

There was also a circle of lookers-on, one of whom was Lysis.

From Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, Third series by Symonds, John Addington

The extravagant shepherd: or, The history of the shepherd Lysis.

From The Library of William Congreve by Hodges, John Cunyus

When Lysis and Menexenus greet Socrates at the gymnasia, the philosopher asks which of the two youths is the elder.

From Americans and Others by Repplier, Agnes

The modesty of Lysis is shown by the shyness which prevents him joining Socrates' party until he has obtained the company of some of his young friends.

From A Problem in Greek Ethics Being an inquiry into the phenomenon of sexual inversion by Symonds, John Addington