lysis

¹

[ lahy-sis ]

noun

, plural ly·ses [lahy, -seez].

1. Immunology, Biochemistry. the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.
2. Medicine/Medical. the gradual recession of a disease. Compare crisis ( def 4 ).

-lysis

²

1. a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words:

   analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.

-lysis

¹

combining form

1. indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking down

   electrolysis

   paralysis

lysis

²

/ ˈlaɪsɪs /

noun

1. the destruction or dissolution of cells by the action of a particular lysin
2. med the gradual reduction in severity of the symptoms of a disease

lysis

/ lī′sĭs /

1. The disintegration of a cell resulting from destruction of its membrane by a chemical substance, especially an antibody or enzyme.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lysis¹

1815–25; < New Latin < Greek lýsis a loosening, releasing, equivalent to ly-, variant stem of lȳ́ ( ein ) to loosen, release + -sis -sis

Origin of lysis²

From Greek; lysis

Word History and Origins

Origin of lysis¹

from Greek, from lusis a loosening; see lysis

Origin of lysis²

C19: New Latin, from Greek, from luein to release

Example Sentences

And then there’s the fourth moment, which is what Jung called the lysis, where the energy of your life wants to go.

From Los Angeles Times

Phages then put a halt to lysis — the process of replicating and breaking out of their hosts — instead staying hidden in a sluggish state called lysogeny1.

From Nature

After addition of 120 µl lysis solution, the bacterial solution was well mixed with the lysis solution by gentle turnover four times, and put on ice for 4 min.

From Nature

Cell lysis did not occur in response to mannitol treatment.

From Nature

All isolated cells were depleted of erythrocytes by hypotonic lysis.

From Nature