fissiparous
/fi'sipərəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Tending to break apart or cause division: Describes something that is inclined to split into separate parts or groups, often due to internal conflict or differing principles.
- Reproducing by biological fission: In biology, describes an organism or cell that reproduces by splitting into two or more new parts.
Usage
- The primary use is to describe groups (like political parties, organizations, or movements) that are prone to fragmentation.
- In biology, it is a technical term for a specific method of asexual reproduction.
Examples
- Describing division within a group:
- The political party became increasingly fissiparous, leading to the formation of several new splinter groups.
- Managing a fissiparous coalition of independent interests was the leader's greatest challenge.
- Describing biological reproduction:
- Many bacteria and protozoa are fissiparous organisms.
- The fissiparous process results in two genetically identical daughter cells.
Advanced Usage
- "fissiparous tendencies": A common phrase describing the inherent or growing likelihood of a group to split.
- The movement's fissiparous tendencies were exacerbated by the lack of a clear, unifying goal.
- Used metaphorically beyond politics and biology to describe any system, idea, or entity prone to breaking apart.
- The artist's fissiparous style made it difficult to categorize her work under a single movement.
Variants and Related Words
- Fission (n): The act or process of splitting, especially the splitting of an atomic nucleus (nuclear fission) or a biological cell.
- Nuclear fission releases a tremendous amount of energy.
- Fissile (adj): Capable of undergoing fission; easily split.
- Fissile material like uranium-235 is used in reactors.
Synonyms
- Divisive: Tending to cause disagreement or hostility between people.
- Schismatic: Concerning or promoting schism (a split within a religious body).
- Breakaway: Having separated from a larger group.
- Fragmenting: In the process of breaking into fragments.
Antonyms
- Unifying: Tending to combine or bring together.
- Cohesive: Characterized by unity and sticking together.
- Integrative: Serving or tending to integrate.
Adjective
- having separated or advocating separation from another entity or policy or attitude
- a breakaway faction
- reproducing by fission