scissile

adjective

scis·​sile ˈsi-səl 

-ˌsī(-ə)l

: capable of being cut smoothly or split easily

a scissile peptide bond

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin scissilis "(of a mineral) easily split, (of clothing) torn, tattered," from *scid-, base of scindere "to split, cleave, separate" + -tilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" — more at shed entry 1

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

scissile

adjective

scis·​sile ˈsis-əl  -ˌīl 

: capable of being cut smoothly or split easily

a scissile peptide bond