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• cis
  cis

  adjective

  cisgender or cissexual.
• cis-
  cis-

  a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin meaning “on the near side of; on this side of” (cisalpine ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (cisatlantic ).
• C.I.S.
  C.I.S.

  abbreviation

  Commonwealth of Independent States.
• CIS
  CIS

  abbreviation

  Commonwealth of Independent States

cis

¹ American  

[sis] / sɪs /

adjective

1. cisgender or cissexual.

   He may not be macho, but he's definitely a cis male.

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noun

1. a person who is cisgender or cissexual.

cis- ² American  

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin meaning “on the near side of; on this side of” (cisalpine ); on this model, used in the formation of compound words (cisatlantic ).

2. Chemistry. a specialization of this denoting a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups attached on the same side of two atoms linked by a double bond.

3. a prefix meaning “on the same side of,” referring to the alignment of one’s gender identity with one’s sex assigned at birth (cisgender; cissexual ).

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C.I.S. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. Commonwealth of Independent States.

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cis- ¹ British  

prefix

1. on this or the near side of

   cisalpine

2. (often in italics) indicating that two groups of atoms in an unsaturated compound lie on the same side of a double bond Compare trans-

   cis-butadiene

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CIS ² British  

abbreviation

1. Commonwealth of Independent States

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Sensitive Note

See trans, gender ¹.

Usage

What does cis mean? Cis is short for cissexual or, more commonly, cisgender, which refers to someone's gender identity that corresponds to their sex as assigned at birth. Cisgender is the opposite of transgender.

Etymology

Origin of cis¹

By shortening

Origin of cis-²

From Latin cis (adverb and preposition) “on this side, on this side of, within”

Example Sentences

During this hydrogenation process, double bonds of the cis- conformation in the hydrocarbon chain may be converted to double bonds in the trans- conformation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Molecules must have a single bond to be cis- trans isomers.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

During this hydrogenation process, double bonds in the cis- conformation in the hydrocarbon chain may be converted to double bonds in the trans- conformation; unfortunately, trans fats have been shown to contribute to heart disease.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Collectively, our work provides insights into the complex cis- and trans-regulation of A-to-I editing.

From Nature • Oct. 10, 2017

Single, highly-favoured individuals, not only in England but in other countries cis- and trans-Atlantic, enjoy incomes equal to more than half the amount of Elizabeth's annual budget.

From History of the United Netherlands from the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce, 1585e by Motley, John Lothrop