chiasma Hear it!

chiasma Definition

chi·asma (kī az)

noun pl. chi·as·mata-tə

  1. a crossing or intersection of the optic nerves in the hypothalamus of the brain
  2. a point of contact between chromosomes during meiosis where two chromatids interchange corresponding segments
  3. any crosswise function

Etymology: ModL < Gr chiasma, a crosspiece < chiasmos, placing crosswise < chiazein, to mark with a chi (χ)

Browse dictionary entries near chiasma

  1. chiasm
  2. chiaroscuro
  3. Chiapas
  4. Chianti
  5. Chiang Mai
  6. Chiang Kai-shek
  7. Chian
  8. chi-square test
  9. chi-square
  10. chi
  1. chiasmus
  2. chiaus
  3. Chiba
  4. Chibcha
  5. Chibchan
  6. chibouk
  7. chic
  8. chica
  9. Chicago
  10. Chicago Board of Trade