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

borrowed from Latin dēhīscere "to split open, yawn, gape," from dē- de- + hīscere "to begin to open, gape," inchoative derivative of hiāre "to be wide open, gape, have the mouth wide open" — more at yawn entry 1

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 1 Dec. 2024.

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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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