English Reference

Word

abscission

Phoneticsab·scis·sion

Definition

n. the natural process by which a plant loses a part of itself, like a leaf or a flower. It is the scientific name for falling off.

n. the natural shedding of a part of a plant, such as a leaf, flower, or fruit. Often used in botanical contexts to describe the physiological process of separation.

Examples

“The abscission of leaves happens in the fall.”

“The plant produces a special layer of cells to facilitate the abscission of its leaves during the winter months.”

“Researchers are studying the hormonal triggers that initiate abscission, hoping to develop methods for controlling the timing of fruit drop in commercial orchards.”

Examples

simple

“The abscission of leaves happens in the fall.”

contextual

“The plant produces a special layer of cells to facilitate the abscission of its leaves during the winter months.”

complex

“Researchers are studying the hormonal triggers that initiate abscission, hoping to develop methods for controlling the timing of fruit drop in commercial orchards.”

Etymology

From Latin abscissiō, from abscindō (“I cut, I tear”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Domain

Botany

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Rare
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference