n.
Pronunciation: ' l ī -s ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ly · ses \ - ˌ s ē z \
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek, act of loosening, dissolution, remission of fever, from lyein to loosen ― more at LOSE
Date: 1543
1 : the gradual decline of a disease process (as fever)
2 : a process of disintegration or dissolution (as of cells)