biolysis

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noun

The decomposition of tissue and the subsequent death of the organism

OriginAncient Greek λῠ́σῐς (lŭ́sĭs) ← Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- ← English bio- →
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Meanings

nounbiolysis (uncountable)
  1. uncountablebiologyThe decomposition of tissue and the subsequent death of the organism
  2. uncountablethe decomposition of organic material by living organisms, especially by microorganisms.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*gʷeyh₃-
  2. Ancient Greekβῐ́ος (bĭ́os)
  3. Ancient Greekβῐο- (bĭo-)
  4. Englishbio-
  5. Proto-Indo-European*lewh₁-
  6. Ancient Greekλύω (lúō)
  7. Ancient Greekλῠ́σῐς (lŭ́sĭs)
  8. Englishbiolysis

From bio- + -lysis.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

biolysis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biolysis

MLA

“biolysis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biolysis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “biolysis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/biolysis.

Source: biolysis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.