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# abscise

verb (abscise, abscises, abscised, abscising)

«abscise» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (science) To abscise means for a plant to drop a leaf, flower or fruit by forming a special layer of cells where it joins the stem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#m1)
2. (formal) To abscise also means to cut something off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on plants and seasons, trees abscise their leaves in autumn: a layer of cells (the abscission layer) forms at the bottom of the leaf stalk, and the leaf falls. It is a rare, technical word; everyday English says «drop» or «shed». Phrases: «abscise leaves», «abscission layer».

### Examples

- In autumn, oak and maple trees abscise their leaves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x1)
- The plant abscises flowers that were not pollinated. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x2)
- A corky layer forms before the leaf is abscised. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x3)
- Some trees abscise small fruits when it is too dry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x4)
- Scientists study how plants decide when to abscise their leaves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x5)
- Evergreen trees abscise old needles a few at a time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/#x6)

### Note

Rare technical word. Say «ab-SIZE». Noun: abscission (ab-SIZH-un). Not to be confused with «abscess» (a painful swelling full of pus) or «scissors», though «-scis-» comes from the same Latin root meaning «cut».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «abscise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/abscise/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«abscise» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/abscise.html) on Mova free.