meiosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “meiosis” mean?
A rhetorical figure of speech that intentionally understates something or represents it as less significant than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A rhetorical figure of speech that intentionally understates something or represents it as less significant than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect.
In biology, a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, used in the production of gametes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The rhetorical term is equally rare in both varieties. The biological term is standard in scientific contexts globally.
Connotations
In both varieties, the rhetorical term connotes sophistication, irony, or dry humour. The biological term is purely technical.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. The biological sense is common in biology textbooks and related academic fields. The rhetorical sense is primarily found in literary criticism and advanced language studies.
Grammar
How to Use “meiosis” in a Sentence
[Subject] employs meiosis to describe [Object].[Subject] is an example of meiosis.The process of meiosis results in [Outcome].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meiosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The author meiotically describes the catastrophe as 'a spot of bother'.
American English
- He meiotically referred to the massive hurricane as 'a little wind'.
adverb
British English
- He remarked meiotically on the situation.
American English
- She said, meiotically, 'It's not the best day I've ever had.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Common in biology textbooks and papers. Used in advanced literary, rhetorical, or linguistic analysis.
Everyday
Extremely rare. An educated speaker might use the rhetorical sense for effect.
Technical
Essential term in genetics and cell biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “meiosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “meiosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meiosis”
- Confusing its two distinct meanings.
- Misspelling as 'maiosis' or 'miosis' (the latter is a medical term for excessive pupil constriction).
- Using it as a general synonym for 'understatement' without awareness of its specific rhetorical definition.
- Incorrect stress: /ˈmiːəsɪs/ instead of /maɪˈəʊsɪs/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Meiosis is a broad term for intentional understatement. Litotes is a specific type of meiosis that uses a negative to affirm a positive (e.g., 'not unattractive' meaning 'attractive'). All litotes are meiosis, but not all meiosis is litotes.
In biology, yes, in a functional sense. Mitosis produces two identical diploid body cells. Meiosis produces four genetically different haploid gametes (sex cells). They are distinct processes.
It is very rare. Most native speakers would use 'understatement' instead. Using 'meiosis' rhetorically would signal a very high level of education or a deliberate stylistic choice.
The stress is on the second syllable: my-OH-sis. The first syllable rhymes with 'my' or 'pie', not 'me'.
A rhetorical figure of speech that intentionally understates something or represents it as less significant than it is, often for ironic or humorous effect.
Meiosis is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms feature this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'My, oh, sis, that's a small way to say it!' (for rhetoric) OR 'My, oh, sis, my cells are splitting!' (for biology). Both play on the pronunciation and the two meanings.
Conceptual Metaphor
RHETORIC: LANGUAGE IS A CONTAINER (deliberately under-filling it). BIOLOGY: CELLS ARE FACTORIES (producing specialised units).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'meiosis' NOT a standard technical term?