What does scission mean?
Scission is a formal word for the act of splitting or dividing something. Its most familiar technical use is in biology, where cell scission describes the process by which one cell separates into daughter cells. More broadly, the word can refer to a division of a larger body, text, or organization into distinct parts, often suggesting a clean or decisive separation. Although the ordinary language of splitting or division is usually more neutral and accessible, scission conveys a more deliberate, technical, or literary tone. It derives from the same Latin root associated with cutting and dividing, which explains its relationship to words such as scissors and scissile.
nounThe act of splitting or dividing something, especially a cell or other biological structure. It can also refer more generally to a separation or division into parts.
- The act of splitting or dividing something.
- The division of a cell into two or more daughter cells.
"The cell undergoes scission, producing two daughter cells."
"Cell scission is an essential stage in the reproduction of many organisms."
"The editor's scission of the manuscript into three sections made it easier to review."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instances of splitting or division.
"The experiment recorded several cellular scissions over the following hours."
In biology, scission is the dramatic moment when one cell becomes two.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of scission
Scission comes from Latin scissio, a noun meaning “a splitting” or “division,” derived from the past participle of scindere, “to split” or “cleave.” The same root underlies English scissors, scissor, and scissile, all connected with cutting or dividing. The word entered English through Latin and was established in scientific and general usage by the 17th century.
Related word forms
How scission is actually used
Scission is chiefly formal or technical. In biology it denotes a division process; in general contexts it can sound literary or specialized.
Easily confused with scission
Scission is the process of splitting or dividing, whereas scissors are the instrument commonly used to cut something.
Scission is a general term for splitting or division, while fission specifically refers to a process of division, notably the splitting of an atomic nucleus.