synapsis

[si-nap-sis]

noun

plural

synapses 

1. Also called syndesis. Cell Biology.,  the pairing of homologous chromosomes, one from each parent, during early meiosis.

2. Physiology.,  synapse.

synapsis

/ sɪˈnæpsɪs /

noun

1. cytology the association in pairs of homologous chromosomes at the start of meiosis

2. another word for synapse

Other Word Forms

• synaptic adjective
• synaptical adjective
• synaptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of synapsis¹

1645–55; < New Latin < Greek sýnapsis “junction,” equivalent to synap- (stem of synáptein “to make contact,” equivalent to syn- syn- + (h)áptein “to touch”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synapsis¹

C19: from New Latin, from Greek sunapsis junction, from sunaptein to join together, from _syn- + haptein to connect