fission
fission Lexical Profile
fission Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A nuclear reaction or radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of a heavy atom splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing a large amount of energy.
"Commercial nuclear power plants generate electricity through the controlled fission of uranium atoms."
A form of asexual reproduction in which a single cell or organism divides into two or more independent parts, each regenerating into a complete organism.
"Most bacteria reproduce rapidly through binary fission under favorable environmental conditions."
The act or process of splitting or breaking up into separate parts or factions.
"Ideological disagreements eventually led to the fission of the coalition into several smaller parties."
• verb
To split or cause to split into two or more parts (especially of an atomic nucleus or a biological cell).
"When a slow neutron strikes a uranium-235 nucleus, the atom fissions and releases additional neutrons."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'fission' (the splitting of a heavy atomic nucleus into lighter nuclei) with 'fusion' (the combining of two lighter atomic nuclei into a heavier one).
• Rhymes for fission
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the mid-19th century from Latin 'fissio' ('a cleaving or splitting'), derived from the verb 'findere' ('to split'). Originally applied in biology to cell division, it was adopted by physicists in 1939 to describe the splitting of atomic nuclei.