Dehiscence

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Dehiscence \De*his"cence\, n. [Cf. F. d['e]hiscence.]
     1. The act of gaping.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.) A gaping or bursting open along a definite line of
        attachment or suture, without tearing, as in the opening


        of pods, or the bursting of capsules at maturity so as to
        emit seeds, etc.; also, the bursting open of follicles, as
        in the ovaries of animals, for the expulsion of their
        contents.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  dehiscence
       n : (biology) release of material by splitting open of an organ
           or tissue; the natural bursting open at maturity of a
           fruit or other reproductive body to release seeds or
           spores or the bursting open of a surgically closed wound