lysis

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁-der. Ancient Greek λύω (lúō) Proto-Indo-European *-tis Ancient Greek -τις (-tis) Ancient Greek -σις (-sis) Ancient Greek λῠ́σῐς (lŭ́sĭs)der. Latin lysisbor. English lysis From Latin lysis, from Ancient Greek λύσις (lúsis, “a loosening”). Compare -lysis.

1. A plinth or step above the cornice of the podium in an ancient temple.
2. The breakdown of molecules into constituent molecules.
3. The disintegration or destruction of cells.
4. A gradual recovery from disease.

   “The older medicine used to speak of two ways, lysis and crisis, one gradual, the other abrupt, in which one might recover from a bodily disease.”