apophysis

[ uh-pof-uh-sis ]

/ əˈpɒf ə sɪs /

noun, plural a·poph·y·ses [uh-pof-uh-seez] /əˈpɒf əˌsiz/.

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

Architecture. apophyge.

Nearby words

apophis, apophony, apophthegm, apophyge, apophyllite, apophysis, apophysitis, apoplast, apoplectic, apoplectiform, apoplexy

Origin of apophysis

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

Related forms

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-uh l, uh-pof-uh-see-uh l] /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. 2019

Examples from the Web for apophysis

No ctenidium, but a pulmonary cavity; operculum with an apophysis.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5|Various
The central region extending between the apophysis and the operculum is composed of sterile tissue and forms the columella (c).
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
The seta widens out at the base of the capsule into a region known as the apophysis.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
Apophysis, any irregular swelling; the enlargement at the base of the spore-case of the Umbrella-Moss.
The Elements of Botany|Asa Gray

The apophysis, which may be a more or less distinct region, usually bears stomata and is the main organ of assimilation.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various

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

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

Medicine definitions for apophysis

apophysis

[ ə-pŏf′ĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. a•poph•y•ses (-sēz′)

An outgrowth or projection of an organ or part, especially an outgrowth from a bone that lacks an independent center of ossification.

Related forms

ap′o•phys′i•al (ăp′ə-fĭz′ē-əl) null adj.