fissile

[ fis-uhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being split or divided; cleavable.
2. Physics.
   1. fissionable.
   2. (of a nuclide) capable of undergoing fission induced by low-energy neutrons, as uranium 233 and 235.

fissile

/ ˈfɪsaɪl; fɪˈsɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. capable of undergoing nuclear fission as a result of the impact of slow neutrons
2. another word for fissionable
3. tending to split or capable of being split

Derived Forms

• fissility, noun

Other Words From

• fis·sili·ty noun
• non·fissile adjective
• nonfis·sili·ty noun
• un·fissile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissile¹

1655–65; < Latin fissilis, equivalent to fiss ( us ) ( fissi- ) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissile¹

C17: from Latin fissilis , from fissus split; see fissi-