meiosis meaning and definition

MEIOSIS noun

Definition of meiosis (noun)

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)
   • synonyms: 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"
   • synonyms: litotes