Category:Dehiscence

De*his"cence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. déhiscence.]

1. The act of gaping.

2. (Biol.)

Defn: 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.