abscission

[ ab-sizh-uhn, -sish- ]

noun

1. the act of cutting off; sudden termination.
2. Botany. the normal separation of flowers, fruit, and leaves from plants.

abscission

/ -ˈsɪʃ-; æbˈsɪʒən /

noun

1. the separation of leaves, branches, flowers, and bark from plants by the formation of an abscission layer
2. the act of cutting off

abscission

/ ăb-sĭzh′ən /

1. The separation of a leaf, flower, or fruit from a plant as a result of natural structural and chemical changes.
2. ◆ The abscission zone is a layer of weak, thin-walled cells that form across the base of the plant part where the break eventually occurs. A corky layer containing suberin forms beneath the abscission zone to protect the plant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscission¹

First recorded in 1605–15, abscission is from the Latin word abscissiōn- (stem of abscissiō ). See abscissa, -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of abscission¹

C17: from Latin abscissiōn-, from ab- ¹+ scissiō a cleaving

Example Sentences

Not abscisic acid, the one that “abscission zone” would seem to imply.

From Seattle Times

When days shorten, the leaves begin to accumulate more of this chemical during the night, stimulating the formation of an abscission layer.

From Washington Times

The abscission process leaves behind the primary cilium and any signaling systems localized to the cilium.

From Science Magazine

Additional insights important to TAG biosynthesis, fruit ripening and abscission are provided in .

From Nature

Students worked with collaborative teams to develop innovative methods for quantifying leaf color change and abscission in campus trees.

From Science Magazine