amitosis

[ am-i-toh-sis, ey-mahy- ]
/ ˌæm ɪˈtoʊ sɪs, ˌeɪ maɪ- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR amitosis ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Biology.

the direct method of cell division, characterized by simple cleavage of the nucleus without the formation of chromosomes.

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Origin of amitosis

First recorded in 1890–95; a-6 + mitosis

OTHER WORDS FROM amitosis

am·i·tot·ic [am-i-tot-ik, ey-mahy-] /ˌæm ɪˈtɒt ɪk, ˌeɪ maɪ-/, adjectiveam·i·tot·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby amitosis

amis, amish, amiss, amitabha, amitate, amitosis, amitriptyline, amittai, amity, amitābha, amm
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to amitosis

meiosis, mitosis

British Dictionary definitions for amitosis

amitosis
/ (ˌæmɪˈtəʊsɪs) /

noun

an unusual form of cell division in which the nucleus and cytoplasm divide by constriction without the formation of chromosomes; direct cell division

Derived forms of amitosis

amitotic (ˌæmɪˈtɒtɪk), adjectiveamitotically, adverb

Word Origin for amitosis

C19: a- 1 + mitosis
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

Medical definitions for amitosis

amitosis
[ ăm′ĭ-tō′sĭs, ā′mī- ]

n.

Direct cell division by simple cleavage of the nucleus, without spindle formation or the appearance of chromosomes.direct nuclear division

Other words from amitosis

am′i•tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.