freeze fracture

noun

variants or freeze-fracture
1
or less commonly freeze-fracturing : preparation of a specimen (as of biological tissue) for electron microscopic examination by rapid freezing, fracturing along natural structural lines, and preparing a replica of the exposed structural details (as by simultaneous vapor deposition of carbon and platinum) compare freeze-etching
2
: the product of or replica prepared by freeze fracture
freeze fractures of bacterial cells
freeze fracture transitive verb
or freeze-fracture
freeze-fracture adjective
or freeze-fractured
a freeze-fracture micrograph

Word History

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of freeze fracture was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near freeze fracture

Cite this Entry

“Freeze fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeze%20fracture. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

freeze fracture

noun
variants or freeze-fracture also freeze-fracturing
: preparation of a specimen (as of tissue) for electron microscopic examination by freezing, fracturing along natural structural lines, and preparing a replica (as by simultaneous vapor deposition of carbon and platinum)
freeze-fracture transitive verb
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