ˌamnēōsen.ˈtēsə̇s noun
( plural amniocente·ses -ˈtēˌsēz)
Etymology: New Latin, from amnio- + centesis
: the surgical insertion of a hollow needle through the abdominal wall and into the uterus of a pregnant female to obtain amniotic fluid especially to examine the fetal chromosomes for an abnormality and for the determination of sex — called also amnio