noun
- Biology. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
- Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
- Surgery. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.
1828, from Modern Latin dehiscentia, from dehiscentem (nominative dehiscens), present participle of dehiscere “to gape, open, split down” (of the earth, etc.), from de- (see de-) + hiscere, inchoative of hiare “to yawn” (see yawn (v.)).
n.
- A bursting open or splitting along natural or sutured lines.
- The spontaneous opening at maturity of a plant structure, such as a fruit, anther, or sporangium, to release its contents. Compare indehiscence.