synapsis

American

[si-nap-sis] / sɪˈnæp sɪs /

noun

plural

synapses

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

synapsis British

/ sɪˈnæpsɪs /

noun

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

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

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

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.

Synapsis must occur at the close of the last spermatogonial mitosis before the spireme is formed.

From Studies in Spermatogenesis Part II by Stevens, Nettie Maria

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023