synizesis

[ sin-uh-zee-sis ]

noun

, Phonetics.

1. the combination into one syllable of two vowels (or of a vowel and a diphthong) that do not form a diphthong.

synizesis

/ ˌsɪnɪˈziːsɪs /

noun

1. phonetics the contraction of two vowels originally belonging to separate syllables into a single syllable, without diphthongization Compare syneresis
2. cytology the contraction of chromatin towards one side of the nucleus during the prophase of meiosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synizesis¹

1840–50; < Late Latin < Greek synízēsis, equivalent to syn- syn- + ( h ) iz- (stem of hízein to sit ¹ ) + -ēsis -esis

Word History and Origins

Origin of synizesis¹

C19: via Late Latin from Greek sunizēsis a collapse, from sunizanein to sink down, from syn- + hizein to sit

Example Sentences

The synizesis and synapsis stages are similar to those in Chelymorpha (figs. 61 and 62).

From Project Gutenberg