apophysis

[ uh-pof-uh-sis ]

/ əˈpɒf ə sɪs /

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noun, plural a·poph·y·ses

[uh-pof-uh-seez]. /əˈpɒf əˌsiz/.

Anatomy, Botany. an outgrowth; process; projection or protuberance.

Architecture. apophyge.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of apophysis

1605–15; <New Latin <Greek: offshoot, equivalent to apo-apo- + phýsis growth, equivalent to phý(ein) to bring forth + -sis-sis

OTHER WORDS FROM apophysis

a·poph·y·sate

[uh-pof-uh-sit, -seyt], /əˈpɒf ə sɪt, -ˌseɪt/, adjectiveap·o·phys·e·al, ap·o·phys·i·al

[ap-uh-fiz-ee-uhl, uh-pof-uh-see-uhl], /ˌæp əˈfɪz i əl, əˌpɒf əˈsi əl/, a·poph·y·sar·y

[uh-pof-uh-ser-ee], /əˈpɒf əˌsɛr i/, adjectivein·ter·ap·o·phys·e·al, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for apophysis

apophysis

/ (əˈpɒfɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

a process, outgrowth, or swelling from part of an animal or plant

geology a tapering offshoot from a larger igneous intrusive mass

Derived forms of apophysis

apophysate (əˈpɒfɪsɪt, -seɪt), adjectiveapophysial (ˌæpəˈfɪzɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for apophysis

C17: via New Latin from Greek apophusis a sideshoot, from apo- + phusis growth

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