auxesis

[ awg-zee-sis, awk-see- ]

noun

, Biology.

1. growth, especially that resulting from an increase in cell size.

auxesis

/ ɔːɡˈziːsɪs; ɔːkˈsiː- /

noun

1. growth in animal or plant tissues resulting from an increase in cell size without cell division

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxesis¹

1570–80; < Greek: increase, equivalent to auxē- verbid stem of aúxein to increase + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of auxesis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek: increase, from auxein to increase, grow

Example Sentences

Figures of auxesis and repetition—often pulling together words or themes from earlier in the speech—commonly proliferate in the peroration, and many orators will crank it up a little in the direction of the grand style.

From Literature

Pertaining to, or containing, auxesis; amplifying.

From Project Gutenberg

Auxesis, awk-sē′sis, n. gradual deepening in force of meaning: hyperbole.

From Project Gutenberg

And as to Horace, that Nil molitur inepte, in one Place, and——Quandoque bonus dormitat Homerus, in another, must be regarded as Hyperboles; the one as an Auxesis, the other as a Mei�sis.

From Project Gutenberg