dehisce

verb

de·​hisce di-ˈhis 

dehisced; dehiscing

intransitive verb

: to split along a natural line

also : to discharge contents by so splitting

seedpods dehiscing at maturity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dēhīscere "to split open, yawn, gape," from dē- de- + hīscere "to begin to open, gape," inchoative derivative of hiāre "to be wide open, gape, have the mouth wide open" — more at yawn entry 1

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dehisce

intransitive verb

de·​hisce di-ˈhis 

dehisced; dehiscing

: to undergo dehiscence