-lysis

comb. form forming nouns denoting disintegration or decomposition (electrolysis; haemolysis).

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\\ləsə̇s\ noun combining form (plural -lyses \\ləˌsēz\)

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin & Greek; Latin, loosening, from Greek, from lysis

1. : decomposition

electrolysis

hydrolysis

pyrolysis

2. : destruction : disintegration : dissolution — especially of material associated with living organisms

biolysis

autolysis

proteolysis

3.

a. : relief or reduction

neurolysis

b. : detachment (as in the surgical operation of freeing from adhesions)

cardiolysis

gastrolysis

c. : paralysis

glossolysis

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a combining form with the meaning "breaking down, loosening, decomposition," used in the formation of compound words: analysis; electrolysis; paralysis.

[ Gk; see LYSIS]

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-lysis /-lis-is/ n combining form

Denoting the action of breaking down or dividing into parts

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Main Entry: ↑lysis

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comb. form denoting disintegration or decomposition

■ in nouns specifying an agent

hydrolysis

■ in nouns specifying a reactant

hemolysis

■ in nouns specifying the nature of the process

autolysis

Origin:

via Latin from Greek lusis ‘loosening’

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-lysis

(lɪsɪs)

A word-forming element [f. Gr. λύσις a loosening, parting] in many technical terms, primarily denoting decomposition, disintegration, dissolution.

1. In words in which the first element indicates the agent; e.g. (in Chem.) electrolysis (c 1840), hydrogenolysis; (in Biol.) bacteriolysis (sense 1), biolysis.

2. In words in which the first element indicates the substance or object affected; e.g. (in Chem. and Biochem.) fructolysis, glycolysis (1892); (in Biol.) bacteriolysis (sense 2), hæmolysis (cf. lysis 3). b. In a few terms in Surg. -lysis denotes surgical detachment of a part indicated by the first element, as cardiolysis.

3. In words in which the first element indicates some other characteristic; e.g. (in Biol.) autolysis, heterolysis (sense 1); (in Chem.) heterolysis (sense 2), homolysis. (catalysis (1836) was adopted directly from Gr. κατάλυσις dissolution.)