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syn·er·e·sis also syn·aer·e·sis  (sĭ-nĕrĭ-sĭs)
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Tweet n. pl. syn·er·e·ses (-sēz′) also syn·aer·e·ses 1. Linguistics The drawing together into one syllable of two consecutive vowels or syllables, as in the formation of a diphthong. 2. Chemistry The exudation of the liquid component of a gel, caused or accompanied by a contraction of the gel. [Late Latin synaeresis, from Greek sunairesis, from sunairein, to contract : sun-, syn- + hairein, to take, grasp.] |
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