meiosis

mei·o·sis

noun \mī-ˈō-səs\

Definition of MEIOSIS

1

: the presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially in order to achieve a greater effect : understatement

2

: the cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction division in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division — compare mitosis

— mei·ot·ic \mī-ˈä-tik\ adjective

— mei·ot·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Origin of MEIOSIS

New Latin, from Greek meiōsis diminution, from meioun to diminish, from meiōn less; akin to Sanskrit mīyate he diminishes

First Known Use: 1550

Rhymes with MEIOSIS

cirrhosis, hypnosis, kenosis, lordosis, miosis, mitosis, narcosis, necrosis, neurosis, orthosis, osmosis, prognosis, psychosis, sclerosis, stenosis, thrombosis