dehisce

Etymology

From Latin de- + hiscere (“to split”), from hiare (“to be open”); related to hiatus.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dɪˈhɪs/

Verb

dehisce (third-person singular simple present dehisces, present participle dehiscing, simple past and past participle dehisced)

1. (intransitive, botany) To burst or split open at definite places, discharging seeds, pollen or similar content.

   Anthers dehisce when the flower opens.

2. (intransitive, medicine) To rupture or break open, as a surgical wound.

   A surgical wound may partially or completely dehisce after surgery, depending upon whether some or all of the layers of tissue come open.