synizesis

(sin′ə zē′sis)

noun pl. synizeses

the contraction of two adjacent vowels into a single syllable, without the formation of a diphthong
Biol. the massing of the chromatin in meiosis during synapsis

Origin: LL < Gr synizēsis < synizanein, to sink in, collapse < syn-, with + hizein, to sit

See synizesis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. syn·i·ze·ses (-sēz)

Linguistics The union in pronunciation of two adjacent vowels into one syllable without forming a diphthong.
Biology The phase of meiosis in some species in which the chromatin contracts into a mass at one side of the nucleus.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin synizēsis

Origin: , from Greek sunizēsis

Origin: , from sunizein, to collapse

Origin: : sun-, syn-

Origin: + hizein, to settle down; see sed- in Indo-European roots

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synizesis medical definition

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