Word Study
fissiparous
CIDE DICTIONARY
fissiparous, a. [L. fissus (p. p. of findere to split) + parere to bring forth: cf. F. fissipare.].
Reproducing by spontaneous fission. See Fission. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
fissiparous, adj.
1 Biol. reproducing by fission.
2 tending to split.
1 Biol. reproducing by fission.
2 tending to split.
Derivative
fissiparity n. fissiparously adv. fissiparousness n.
Etymology
L fissus past part. (as FISSURE) after viviparous
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