hemolysing
|he-mo-ly-sing|
🇺🇸
/ˈhiːmoʊˌlaɪzɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈhiːməˌlaɪzɪŋ/
(hemolyse)
breaking (rupturing) red blood cells
Etymology
'hemolyse' originates from Greek via New Latin: Greek 'haima' (αἷμα) meaning 'blood' combined with 'lysis' (λύσις) meaning 'a loosening' or 'splitting'.
'haima' + 'lysis' formed the New Latin medical noun 'haemolysis', which passed into English as 'haemolysis'/'hemolysis'; the verb forms 'haemolyse'/'hemolyse' (and US 'hemolyze') developed from this noun.
Initially used in scientific/medical contexts to denote the 'loosening' or breakdown of blood elements, the meaning has remained focused on the specific process of red blood cell rupture (hemolysis).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present participle of 'hemolyse' (to cause hemolysis): to cause the rupture or destruction of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin into the surrounding fluid.
The serum sample was hemolysing, which interfered with the assay results.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/13 15:34