— dehiscent , adj.
/di his"euhns/ , n.
1. Biol. the release of materials by the splitting open of an organ or tissue.
2. Bot. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents.
3. Surg. the bursting open of a surgically closed wound.
[ 1820-30; dehiscentia, equiv. to L dehiscent- s. of dehiscens, prp. of dehiscere (see DEHISCE) + -ia; see -ENCE ]