dehiscence
Americannoun
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Biology. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
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Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
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Surgery. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.
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The spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents.
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Compare indehiscence
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dehiscence
1820–30; < New Latin dēhiscentia, equivalent to Latin dēhiscent- stem of dēhiscēns, present participle of dēhiscere ( see dehisce) + -ia; see -ence
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you are squeamish, you might consider skipping the first section of Deborah Copaken’s “Ladyparts,” which describes the bleeding out of her vagina due to a cuff dehiscence.
From New York Times ● Aug. 3, 2021
In that condition, called superior semicircular canal dehiscence, an opening in one of the canals of the inner ear causes vertigo and/or auditory disturbances.
From Washington Post ● Oct. 5, 2015
The syndrome results from a dehiscence — a thinning or a hole in the temporal bone, which covers the fluid-filled canal in the inner ear.
From Washington Post
Although further testing would be required for confirmation, he suspected she had a rare condition known as superior canal dehiscence syndrome, or SCDS.
From Washington Post
Related to D. radiatum in the prefigured dehiscence, but otherwise very distinct.
From The North American Slime-Moulds A Descriptive List of All Species of Myxomycetes Hitherto Reported from the Continent of North America, with Notes on Some Extra-Limital Species by Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
