AMITOSIS

amitosis

(noun) the direct method of cell division characterized by simple division of the nucleus without formation of chromosomes

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

amitosis (plural amitoses)

(obsolete, biology) cell division by cleavage of the nucleus without the formation of condensed chromosomes

Usage notes

• Today, such a type of cell division is considered non-existent.

Source: Wiktionary

Am`i*to"sis, n. [NL. See A-not, and Mitosis.] (Biol.)

Definition: Cell division in which there is first a simple cleavage of the nucleus without change in its structure (such as the formation of chromosomes), followed by the division of the cytoplasm; direct cell division; -- opposed to mitosis. It is not the usual mode of division, and is believed by many to occur chiefly in highly specialized cells which are incapable of long-continued multiplication, in transitory structures, and in those in early stages of degeneration.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition