dehisce

verb

de·​hisce di-ˈhis How to pronounce dehisce (audio)
dehisced; dehiscing

intransitive verb

: to split along a natural line
also : to discharge contents by so splitting
seedpods dehiscing at maturity

Word History

Etymology

Latin dehiscere to split open, from de- + hiscere to gape; akin to Latin hiare to yawn — more at yawn

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dehisce was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near dehisce

dehire

dehisce

dehiscence

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Dehisce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dehisce. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

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Medical Definition

dehisce

intransitive verb
de·​hisce di-ˈhis How to pronounce dehisce (audio)
dehisced; dehiscing
: to undergo dehiscence
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