fissiparous

[ fi-sip-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. reproducing by fission.

fissiparous

/ fɪˈsɪpərəs /

adjective

1. biology reproducing by fission
2. having a tendency to divide into groups or factions

Derived Forms

• fisˈsiparousness, noun
• fisˈsiparously, adverb

Other Words From

• fis·sipa·rous·ly adverb
• fis·sipa·rous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fissiparous¹

First recorded in 1825–35; fissi- + -parous

Example Sentences

But the walkout threat is a marked escalation from an ordinarily fissiparous newsroom.

From Salon

The spectacle is ugly, but at least it shows that a fissiparous four-nation state cannot be governed without radical social and constitutional change.

From The Guardian

He now seems likely to face a challenger in the autumn vote, which would leave his fate in the hands of the LDP’s fissiparous factions.

From Economist

The basic test of any leader, Republican or Democratic, is to get a grip on the inevitably fissiparous elements of his political herd.

From New York Times

The league, in their view, was inherently fragile and fissiparous; if it had been founded a thousand years ago, it would have broken up well before the Pilgrims.

From Literature