Main Entry: ab·scis·sion

Pronunciation: \ab-ˈsi-zhən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English abscisioun, from Anglo-French abscission, Latin abscission-, abscissio, from abscindere

Date: 15th century

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