Standard Lemma guide

dehisce

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /dɪˈhɪs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪs

1

verb

Meaning 1

To burst or split open at definite places, discharging seeds, pollen or similar content.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences

Examples

  • Anthers dehisce when the flower opens.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To rupture or break open, as a surgical wound.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

Topics: medicine, sciences

Examples

  • A surgical wound may partially or completely dehisce after surgery, depending upon whether some or all of the layers of tissue come open.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

burst or split open

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • flowers dehisce when they release pollen

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: erupt, come out, break through, push through

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin dehīscō (“to gape, open”), from hiō (“to be open”); related to hiatus.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: dehiski — (botany) burst or split open
  • French: déhiscer — (botany) burst or split open
  • Russian: раскрываться (raskryvatʹsja) — (botany) burst or split open
  • Russian: растрескиваться (rastreskivatʹsja) — (botany) burst or split open
  • Esperanto: dehiski — (medicine) rupture or break open
  • French: déhiscer — (medicine) rupture or break open
  • Russian: раскрываться (raskryvatʹsja) — (medicine) rupture or break open
  • Russian: растрескиваться (rastreskivatʹsja) — (medicine) rupture or break open