Noun: meiosis (meioses) mI'ow-sis
- (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)
"meiosis ensures genetic diversity in offspring";
- reduction division
- 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 meiosis";
- litotes
Derived forms: meioses
Type of: cell division, cellular division, rhetorical device, understatement
Encyclopedia: Meiosis