scissile

adjective

scis·​sile ˈsi-səl How to pronounce scissile (audio) -ˌsī(-ə)l How to pronounce scissile (audio)
: capable of being cut smoothly or split easily
a scissile peptide bond

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin scissilis "(of a mineral) easily split, (of clothing) torn, tattered," from *scid-, base of scindere "to split, cleave, separate" + -tilis "subject to, susceptible to (the action of the verb)" — more at shed entry 1

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of scissile was in 1552

Dictionary Entries Near scissile

Cite this Entry

“Scissile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scissile. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

scissile

adjective
scis·​sile ˈsis-əl How to pronounce scissile (audio) -ˌīl How to pronounce scissile (audio)
: capable of being cut smoothly or split easily
a scissile peptide bond
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!