lysis

[lahy-sis] /ˈlaɪ sɪs/
noun, plural lyses [lahy-seez] /ˈlaɪ siz/ (Show IPA)
1.
Immunology, Biochemistry. the dissolution or destruction of cells by lysins.
2.
Medicine/Medical. the gradual recession of a disease.
Compare crisis (def 4).
Origin
1815-25; < Neo-Latin < Greek lýsis a loosening, releasing, equivalent to ly-, variant stem of lȳ́(ein) to loosen, release + -sis -sis

-lysis

1.
a combining form with the meaning “breaking down, loosening, decomposition,” used in the formation of compound words:
analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.
Origin
< Greek; see lysis
Examples from the web for lysis
  • When water enters the lungs, it causes a breakdown of the red blood cells in the capillaries called lysis.
British Dictionary definitions for lysis

lysis

/ˈlaɪsɪs/
noun (pl) -ses (-siːz)
1.
the destruction or dissolution of cells by the action of a particular lysin
2.
(med) the gradual reduction in severity of the symptoms of a disease
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from Greek, from luein to release

-lysis

combining form
1.
indicating a loosening, decomposition, or breaking down: electrolysis, paralysis
Word Origin
from Greek, from lusis a loosening; see lysis
Word Origin and History for lysis
n.

"dissolution of cells, bacteria, etc.," 1902, from Latin lysis, from Greek lysis "a loosening," from lyein "to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie" (see lose).

-lysis

scientific/medical word-forming element meaning "loosening, dissolving, dissolution," from Greek lysis "a loosening, setting free, releasing, dissolution," from lyein "to unfasten, loose, loosen, untie" (see lose).

lysis in Medicine

lysis ly·sis (lī'sĭs)
n. pl. ly·ses (-sēz)

  1. The gradual subsiding of the symptoms of an acute disease; a form of the recovery process.

  2. The dissolution or destruction of cells, such as blood cells or bacteria, as by the action of a specific lysin.

-lysis suff.
Decomposition; dissolving; disintegration: hydrolysis.

lysis in Science
lysis
  (lī'sĭs)   
The disintegration of a cell resulting from destruction of its membrane by a chemical substance, especially an antibody or enzyme.