Found 2 items, similar to MEIOSIS.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: meiosis
meiosis
n 1: (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in
sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into
four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number
(leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
[syn:
miosis,
reduction division]
2: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when
expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
"saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
very upset' is an example of litotes" [syn:
litotes]
[also:
meioses (pl)]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Meiosis
Meiosis
\Mei*o"sis\ (m[-i]*[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
mei`wsis, fr. meioy^n to make smaller, from mei`wn. See
Meionite.]
1. (Rhet.) Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a
thing as being less than it really is; understatement; see
also
litotes.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. (Cell Biology) The cellular process by which a diploid
progenitor cell forms haploid gametes, including a
division of one diploid cell into two cells, each with one
of the homologous sets of chromosomes.
[PJC]