mei·o·sis /maɪˈosəs/
  [細胞核的] 減數分裂
  mei·o·sis /maɪˈosəs/ 名詞
  減數分裂
  Mei·o·sis n.
  1. Rhet. Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is; understatement; see also litotes.
  ◄ ►
  meiosis
       n 1: (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in
            sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into
            four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number
            (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
            [syn: miosis, reduction division]
       2: understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when
          expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
          "saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was
          very upset' is an example of litotes" [syn: litotes]
       [also: meioses (pl)]