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Definitions for Meiosis

[1] Cell Biology . part of the process of gamete formation, consisting of chromosome conjugation and two cell divisions, in the course of which the diploid chromosome number becomes reduced to the haploid. Compare mitosis.
[2] Rhetoric . belittlement. expressive understatement, especially litotes.
[3] a type of cell division in which a nucleus divides into four daughter nuclei, each containing half the chromosome number of the parent nucleus: occurs in all sexually reproducing organisms in which haploid gametes or spores are produced Compare mitosis See also prophase (def. 2)
[4] rhetoric another word for litotes

Words related to Meiosis

amitosis, mitosis

Words nearby Meiosis

meiny, meio-, meiocyte, meiofauna, meionite, meiosis, meir, meir, golda, meissen, meissen porcelain, meissner

Origin of Meiosis

1580–90; < Greek meíōsis a lessening, equivalent to meiō-, variant stem of meioûn to lessen (derivative of meíōn less) + -sis -sis

Other words from Meiosis

mei·ot·ic [mahy-ot -ik] /maɪˈɒt ɪk/ , adjective
post·mei·ot·ic , adjective
mei•ot′ ic (-ŏt′ ĭk ) adj.
mei•ot′ i•cal•ly adv.

Word origin for Meiosis

C16: via New Latin from Greek: a lessening, from meioun to diminish, from meiōn less

Synonyms for Meiosis

amitosis, cellular division, mitosis