parabiosis

[ par-uh-bahy-oh-sis, -bee- ]

/ ˌpær ə baɪˈoʊ sɪs, -bi- /

noun Biology.

experimental or natural union of two individuals with exchange of blood.

Physiology. the temporary loss of conductivity or excitability of a nerve cell.

Nearby words

para., paraballism, parabasal body, parabasis, paraben, parabiosis, parablast, parable, parablepsia, parables, parabola

Origin of parabiosis

First recorded in 1905–10; para-¹ + -biosis

Related forms

par·a·bi·ot·ic

[par-uh-bahy-ot-ik, -bee-] /ˌpær ə baɪˈɒt ɪk, -bi-/, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for parabiosis

parabiosis

/ (ˌpærəbaɪˈəʊsɪs) /

noun

the natural union of two individuals, such as Siamese twins, so that they share a common circulation of the blood

a similar union induced for experimental or therapeutic purposes

Derived Forms

parabiotic (ˌpærəbaɪˈɒtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for parabiosis

C20: from para- 1 + Greek biōsis manner of life, from bios life

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

Medicine definitions for parabiosis

parabiosis

[ păr′ə-bī-ō′sĭs ]

n.

The fusion of whole eggs or embryos, as occurs in conjoined twins.

Surgical joining of the vascular systems of two organisms.

Related forms

par′a•bi•ot′ic (-ŏt′ĭk) adj.