biolysis

[bahy-ol-uh-sis]

noun

Biology.

1. disintegration of organic matter through the biochemical action of living organisms, as bacteria.

biolysis

/ ˌbaɪəˈlɪtɪk, baɪˈɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. the death and dissolution of a living organism

2. the disintegration of organic matter by the action of bacteria etc

Other Word Forms

• biolytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of biolysis¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1895–1900; bio-, -lysis

Example Sentences

These processes are known to be reversible, in that some of these peculiar energies cause physico-chemical changes in their own base; the process involved I propose to call biolysis, as I propose to call biolyte the substances produced.

From Project Gutenberg