abiosis

Noun

abiosis (countable and uncountable, plural abioses)

1. (uncountable) The absence of life.
   • In fact, more than just the total elimination of bacteria by filtration, the aim should also be stabilization by abiosis (page 119), with the implication of reducing the contaminating cell load as much as possible.2001, Claudio Delfini, Joseph V. Formica, Wine Microbiology: Science and Technology, page 119
   • At times, every professor believes that his classroom represents the abnegation of intelligence, if not absolute abiosis.2006, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., The Eternity Artifact, page 9

   Synonyms:

   sterility

2. The temporary cessation of biological processes.
   • The symptoms of intoxication may differ in both cases considerably, e.g. they may be attended by deep unconsciousness and abiosis, and also by violent convulsions.1900, Merck's Annual Report of Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Therapeutics
   • Briefly draws attention to deviations from reciprocity and to the partial reversibility of many radiation induced phenomena, to the possible use of organisms in a state of abiosis as integral dose-indicators, to certain specially radiosensitive organisms and responses, and to questions of threshold.1958, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Health and Safety Laboratory, Environmental Contamination from Weapon Tests, page 178

   Synonyms:

   suspended animation, cryptobiosis

3. Necrosis, especially that which occurs at the single cell level.
   • Finally, here is an example of hereditary defect at the outset in some tissue or group of tissues, which may be compared in its ultimate nature with the human jerry-buildings or so-called abioses such as Friedreich's syndrome, achondroplasia, or the muscular dystrophies.1914 February, E.B. Morley, “Epidermolysis Bullosa Hereditaria”, in The British Journal of Dermatology and Syphilis, volume 26, page 42
   • Abiosis is prominent in the 210 - 296 mμ range, though. It seems impossible that ultraviolet light could kill bacteria living in other tissues , but this effect is probably very limited for the eye .1967, Richard Lawrence McCandless, Light Transmission by the Ocular Media of Rainbow Trout, page 5

   Synonyms:

   abiotrophy