Pl. synapses. [mod. L., ad. Gr. σύναψις connection, junction, f. σύν SYN- + ἄψις joining, f. ἄπτειν to join.]
† 1. gen. Connection. Obs.
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 88. Some considerable circumstances must not be forgot, by reason of their synapsis, their coherence with this relation.
2. Biol. The condensation and fusion of the chromatin to one side of the nucleus, as a stage in the development of a fertilized cell.
1892. J. E. S. Moore (Cent. Dict., Suppl.).
1900. B. D. Jackson, Gloss. Bot. Terms, Synapsis, the condensation of the nuclear filament to one side of the nucleus previous to heterotypic mitosis.
1908. F. O. Bower, Orig. Land Flora, 50. The nucleus first enters the condition of synapsis…, in which a lateral fusion of the chromosomes in pairs, respectively of paternal and maternal origin, is believed to take place.
3. Anat. = SYNAPSE.
1897. Foster & Sherrington, Text Bk. Physiol., III. i. (ed. 7), 929.
1900. Schäfer’s Text-bk. Physiol., II. 834. The synapses are fewest; in some, perhaps, there intervenes but one synapsis.
