miosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “miosis” mean?
excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye.
A medical condition or reaction where the pupil becomes abnormally small; also, a stage in cell division (though this is technically spelled 'meiosis' and pronounced differently).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Strictly medical/clinical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse, used only in relevant professional contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “miosis” in a Sentence
The patient presented with miosis.The drug causes miosis.Miosis was observed in the left eye.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “miosis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The miotic effect was immediate.
- It is a miotic agent.
American English
- The miotic response was noted.
- This is a potent miotic drug.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological science texts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context, specifically in ophthalmology, neurology, and toxicology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “miosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “miosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “miosis”
- Misspelling as 'myosis'.
- Confusing with 'meiosis' (cell division).
- Using it in non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a sign or symptom, not a disease itself. It indicates an underlying condition, reaction to a drug, or neurological issue.
Yes, pupillary constriction in bright light is a normal physiological response. The term 'miosis' is typically used when the constriction is excessive or inappropriate for the lighting conditions.
Common causes include the use of certain eye medications (pilocarpine), opioid drugs, Horner's syndrome, and inflammation inside the eye (iritis).
Miosis (pronounced /maɪˈoʊsɪs/) refers to pupillary constriction. Meiosis (pronounced /maɪˈoʊsɪs/ identically, but sometimes distinguished in careful speech) is a completely different biological process of cell division that produces gametes.
excessive constriction of the pupil of the eye.
Miosis is usually technical/medical in register.
Miosis: in British English it is pronounced /maɪˈəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /maɪˈoʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MIOsis' makes the pupil go 'MIcrO' (very small).
Conceptual Metaphor
Aperture closing; a biological 'shutter' narrowing.
Practice
Quiz
Miosis is the opposite of which medical condition?