dehiscence
[ dih-his-uh ns ]
/ dɪˈhɪs əns /
noun
Biology. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
Surgery. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.
Nearby words
degust, degustation, degut, dehire, dehisce, dehiscent, dehiscent, dehiwala-mount lavinia, dehooker, dehorn, dehort
Origin of dehiscence
Related formsde·his·cent, adjectivenon·de·his·cent, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for dehiscent
British Dictionary definitions for dehiscent
dehiscent
/ (dɪˈhɪsənt) /
adjective
(of fruits, anthers, etc) opening spontaneously to release seeds or pollen
Derived Formsdehiscence, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for dehiscent
dehiscence
1828, from Modern Latin dehiscentia, from dehiscentem (nominative dehiscens), present participle of dehiscere "to gape, open, split down" (of the earth, etc.), from de- (see de-) + hiscere, inchoative of hiare "to yawn" (see yawn (v.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for dehiscent
dehiscence
[ dĭ-hĭs′əns ]
n.
A bursting open or splitting along natural or sutured lines.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for dehiscent
dehiscence
[ dĭ-hĭs′əns ]
The spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents. Compare indehiscence.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.