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• lysis
  lysis

  noun

  the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.
• -lysis
  -lysis

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

lysis

¹ American  

[lahy-sis] / ˈlaɪ sɪs /

noun

plural

lyses

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

2. Medicine/Medical. the gradual recession of a disease.

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-lysis ² American  

1. a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words.

   analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.

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lysis ¹ British  

/ ˈlaɪsɪs /

noun

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

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

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-lysis ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking down

   electrolysis

   paralysis

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lysis Scientific  

/ lī′sĭs /

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

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Etymology

Origin of lysis¹

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

Origin of -lysis²

From Greek; see origin at lysis

Example Sentences

A crucial GTA life stage is host cell lysis: the breaking down of a host cell to release DNA-packed GTA particles.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

Together, these experiments identified LypABC as a control mechanism for GTA-mediated cell lysis.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

And then there’s the fourth moment, which is what Jung called the lysis, where the energy of your life wants to go.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2024

As illustrated in Figure 33.28, systemic lupus erythematosus may affect the heart, joints, lungs, skin, kidneys, central nervous system, or other tissues, causing tissue damage via antibody binding, complement recruitment, lysis, and inflammation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The lysis, therefore, occupies usually a longer time than was required by the pyrexia in reaching its maximum.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various