abscission

[ab-sizh-uhn, -sish-]

noun

1. the act of cutting off; sudden termination.

2. Botany.,  the normal separation of flowers, fruit, and leaves from plants.

abscission

/ -ˈsɪʃ-, æbˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. the separation of leaves, branches, flowers, and bark from plants by the formation of an abscission layer

2. the act of cutting off

abscission

1. The separation of a leaf, flower, or fruit from a plant as a result of natural structural and chemical changes.

2. ◆ The abscission zone is a layer of weak, thin-walled cells that form across the base of the plant part where the break eventually occurs. A corky layer containing suberin forms beneath the abscission zone to protect the plant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscission¹

First recorded in 1605–15, abscission is from the Latin word abscissiōn- (stem of abscissiō ). See abscissa, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscission¹

C17: from Latin abscissiōn-, from _ab- ¹ + scissiō a cleaving

Example Sentences

Not abscisic acid, the one that “abscission zone” would seem to imply.

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When days shorten, the leaves begin to accumulate more of this chemical during the night, stimulating the formation of an abscission layer.

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The abscission process leaves behind the primary cilium and any signaling systems localized to the cilium.

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Additional insights important to TAG biosynthesis, fruit ripening and abscission are provided in .

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Students worked with collaborative teams to develop innovative methods for quantifying leaf color change and abscission in campus trees.

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