Meiosis \Mei*o"sis\ (m[-i]*[=o]"s[i^]s), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
   mei`wsis, fr. meioy^n to make smaller, from mei`wn. See
   Meionite.]
   1. (Rhet.) Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a
      thing as being less than it really is; understatement; see
      also litotes.
      [1913 Webster +PJC]

   2. (Cell Biology) The cellular process by which a diploid
      progenitor cell forms haploid gametes, including a
      division of one diploid cell into two cells, each with one
      of the homologous sets of chromosomes.
      [PJC]

	

	meiosis
     n 1: (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in
          sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into
          four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number
          (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
          [syn: miosis, reduction division]
     2: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when
        expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
        "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
        very upset' is an example of litotes" [syn: litotes]
     [also: meioses (pl)]