Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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)]
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