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  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Dehiscence  \De*his"cence\,  n.  [Cf.  F.  d['e]hiscence.] 
  1.  The  act  of  gaping. 
 
  2.  (Biol.)  A  gaping  or  bursting  open  along  a  definite  line  of 
  attachment  or  suture,  without  tearing,  as  in  the  opening 
  of  pods,  or  the  bursting  of  capsules  at  maturity  so  as  to 
  emit  seeds,  etc.;  also  the  bursting  open  of  follicles,  as 
  in  the  ovaries  of  animals,  for  the  expulsion  of  their 
  contents. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  dehiscence 
  n  :  (biology)  release  of  material  by  splitting  open  of  an  organ 
  or  tissue;  (botany)  natural  bursting  open  at  maturity  of 
  a  fruit  or  other  reproductive  body  to  release  seeds  or 
  spores;  (surgery)  bursting  open  of  a  surgically  closed 
  wound 

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