DEHISCENCE

dehiscence

(noun) (biology) release of material by splitting open of an organ or tissue; the natural bursting open at maturity of a fruit or other reproductive body to release seeds or spores or the bursting open of a surgically closed wound

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

dehiscence (countable and uncountable, plural dehiscences)

(botany) Opening of an organ by its own means (such as an anther or a seed pod) to release its contents.

(medicine) A rupture, as with a surgical wound opening up, often with a flow of serous fluid.

(rare) Opening, gaping, in a general sense.

Source: Wiktionary

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

1. The act of gaping.

2. (Biol.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition