lysis

[ lahy-sis ]

/ ˈlaɪ sɪs /

noun, plural ly·ses [lahy-seez] /ˈlaɪ siz/.

Immunology, Biochemistry. the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.

Medicine/Medical. the gradual recession of a disease.Compare crisis(def 4).

Nearby words

Origin of lysis

1815–25; < New Latin < Greek lýsis a loosening, releasing, equivalent to ly-, variant stem of lȳ́(ein) to loosen, release + -sis -sis

Definition for lysis (2 of 2)

-lysis

a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words: analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.

Origin of -lysis

From Greek; see origin at lysis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lysis

There was also a circle of lookers-on; among them was Lysis.
Lysis|Plato
No answer is given in the Lysis to the question, 'What is Friendship?'
Lysis|Plato
She was extremely clear-headed in her reason, and referred them to the Symposium and the dialogue on Lysis, to prove her point.
Dodo's Daughter|E. F. Benson
Lysis and Menexenus, I am afraid that we have been grasping at a shadow only.
Lysis|Plato

Some points of resemblance, and some points of difference, appear in the Laches when compared with the Charmides and Lysis.
Laches|Plato

British Dictionary definitions for lysis (1 of 2)

lysis

/ (ˈlaɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-siːz)

the destruction or dissolution of cells by the action of a particular lysin

med the gradual reduction in severity of the symptoms of a disease

Word Origin for lysis

C19: New Latin, from Greek, from luein to release

British Dictionary definitions for lysis (2 of 2)

-lysis

n combining form

indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking downelectrolysis; paralysis

Word Origin for -lysis

from Greek, from lusis a loosening; see lysis

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

Word Origin and History for lysis (1 of 2)

lysis

"dissolution of cells, bacteria, etc.," 1902, from Latin lysis, from Greek lysis "a loosening," from lyein "to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie" (see lose).

Word Origin and History for lysis (1 of 2)

-lysis

scientific/medical word-forming element meaning "loosening, dissolving, dissolution," from Greek lysis "a loosening, setting free, releasing, dissolution," from lyein "to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie" (see lose).

Medicine definitions for lysis (1 of 2)

lysis

[ lī′sĭs ]

n. pl. ly•ses (-sēz)

The gradual subsiding of the symptoms of an acute disease; a form of the recovery process.

The dissolution or destruction of cells, such as blood cells or bacteria, as by the action of a specific lysin.

Medicine definitions for lysis (2 of 2)

-lysis

suff.

Decomposition; dissolving; disintegration:hydrolysis.

Science definitions for lysis

lysis

[ lī′sĭs ]

The disintegration of a cell resulting from destruction of its membrane by a chemical substance, especially an antibody or enzyme.