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• lyse
  lyse

  verb (used with object)

  to cause dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.
• -lyse
  -lyse

  variant of -lyze.

lyse

¹ American  

[lahys] / laɪs /

verb (used with object)

lysed, lysing

1. to cause dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.

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verb (used without object)

lysed, lysing

1. to undergo lysis.

-lyse ² American  

Chiefly British.

1. variant of -lyze.

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lyse British  

/ laɪz, laɪs /

verb

1. to undergo or cause to undergo lysis

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Etymology

Origin of lyse

1925–30; back formation from lysin or lysis

Example Sentences

When these lypABC genes were deleted, bacteria could no longer lyse to release GTA particles.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026

The plasma membrane can only expand to the limit of the cell wall, so the cell will not lyse.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

A red blood cell will burst, or lyse, when it swells beyond the plasma membrane’s capability to expand.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

To get inside the host cell, the virus forces the cell to lyse, or break open.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

During a DNA extraction, a detergent will cause the cell to pop open, or lyse, so that the DNA is released into solution.

From Scientific American • Jan. 31, 2013