[mi.to.sis] n, pl -to.ses [NL, fr. Gk mitos thread] (1887) 1: a process that takes place in the nucleus of a dividing cell, involves typically a series of steps consisting of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and results in the formation of two new nuclei each having the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus--compare meiosis
2: cell division in which mitosis occurs -- mi.tot.ic adj -- mi.tot.i.cal.ly adv