Pl. -oses. Also 7–8 -asis. [mod.L., a. Gr. ἀναστόμωσις, n. of action f. ἀναστομό-ειν to furnish with a mouth or outlet.] Intercommunication between two vessels, channels, or distinct branches of any kind, by a connecting cross branch. Applied originally to the cross communications between the arteries and veins, or other canals in the animal body; whence to similar cross connections in the sap-vessels of plants, and between rivers or their branches; and now to cross connections between the separate lines of any branching system, as the branches of trees, the veins of leaves, or the wings of insects.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 379. By Anastomosis … or apertion and opening of two vessels one into another.
1630. May, Contn. Lucan, I. 200. As they through each other glide Make many knots, as if they tooke a pride In these strange foldings, and themselves did please In those admired Anastomoses.
1769. in Phil. Trans., LIX. 201. The lymphatics of the stomach … have very numerous anastomoses.
1856. H. Miller, Test. Rocks, 446. We sometimes find cases of anastomosis among the stems of the higher plants.
1859. R. Burton, in Jrnl. R. G. S., XXIX. 234. The African name for a central lake is Tanganyika, signifying an anastomosis, or a meeting-place.
1879. Dresser, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 151/2. Much of the Celtic ornament … consisted of an anastomosis, or network of often grotesque creatures.
