amitosis

[am-i-toh-sis, ey-mahy-]

noun

Biology.

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

amitosis

/ ˌæmɪˈtɒtɪk, ˌæmɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• amitotically adverb
• amitotic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of amitosis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of amitosis¹

C19: _a- ¹ + _mitosis