1 abscission | Definition of abscission

abscission

noun
ab·​scis·​sion | \ ab-ˈsi-zhən How to pronounce abscission (audio) \

Definition of abscission

1 : the act or process of cutting off : removal
2 : the natural separation of flowers, fruit, or leaves from plants at a special separation layer

Examples of abscission in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Eventually, as the veins in the leaf close down, a layer of cells called the abscission layer forms at the base of the leaf stem before falling off. Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "Cleveland's West Side could play decisive role in picking the city's next mayor," 3 Nov. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'abscission.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of abscission

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for abscission

Middle English abscisioun, borrowed from Medieval Latin abscīsiōn-, abscīsiō "cutting off, felling, amputation," going back to Latin, "aposiopesis," from abscīdere "to cut off or away, remove" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns; spelling abscission (in Late and Medieval Latin as abscissiōn-, abscissiō) by construing the noun as a derivative of Latin abscindere "to tear off or away" — more at abscise, abscissa

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More Definitions for abscission

abscission

noun
ab·​scis·​sion | \ ab-ˈsizh-ən How to pronounce abscission (audio) \

Medical Definition of abscission

: the act or process of cutting off : ablation

More from Merriam-Webster on abscission

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with abscission

Nglish: Translation of abscission for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abscission