antholysis
|an-thol-y-sis|
🇺🇸
/ænˈθɑləsɪs/
🇬🇧
/ænˈθɒlɪsɪs/
flower loosening / shedding
Etymology
'antholysis' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'antholysis', where Greek 'anthos' meant 'flower' and 'lysis' meant 'loosening' or 'a loosening/setting free'.
'antholysis' was adopted into scientific New Latin from Greek 'antholysis' and entered English usage through 19th-century botanical literature as a technical term.
Initially, it meant 'loosening or separation of a flower', and over time it has remained a specialized botanical term carrying that same meaning.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the loosening, separation, or shedding of a flower or its parts (such as petals) from the plant; a botanical term for flower drop.
Antholysis often occurs after pollination, when the petals wither and the flower is shed.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/24 10:32