meiosis
meiosis — 名詞
1. the process in which a cell splits twice to create four sex cells, each holding
減數分裂
細胞分裂產生生殖細胞的過程
the process in which a cell splits twice to create four sex cells, each holding only half the chromosomes of the starting cell; it takes place in organisms that reproduce by mating.
During meiosis, a single human cell produces four sperm cells, each containing twenty-three chromosomes.
在減數分裂過程中，一個人體細胞會產生四個精子細胞，每個含有二十三條染色體。
produces four gametes each with half chromosomes
In a tulip anther, meiosis turns one pollen mother cell into four separate pollen grains.
在鬱金香的花藥中，減數分裂會將一個花粉母細胞轉變為四個獨立的花粉粒。
meiosis in reproductive organ produces pollen
A mistake in meiosis can give a fertilized egg the wrong number of chromosomes.
減數分裂出錯可能會導致受精卵的染色體數量異常。
Unlike mitosis, meiosis creates genetically varied cells that are essential for sexual reproduction.
與有絲分裂不同，減數分裂會產生遺傳上多樣的細胞，對有性生殖至關重要。
- reduction division
a less common term that highlights the halving of chromosome number; meiosis is the standard modern term
- mitosis
cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells with the full chromosome number
用法筆記
Frequently contrasted with mitosis, in which a cell divides once to produce two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number as the parent cell.
常見錯誤
2. a rhetorical device in which the speaker intentionally makes something seem less
曲言法
以反語減輕語氣的修辭手法
a rhetorical device in which the speaker intentionally makes something seem less important or serious than it really is, often by using a negative to affirm the opposite, such as describing a massive earthquake as "rather noticeable shaking."
Calling a category-five hurricane "a spot of unpleasant weather" is a classic example of meiosis.
把五級颶風稱為「天氣有點不愉快」，就是曲言法製造諷刺效果的經典例子。
downplaying for ironic effect
The novelist used meiosis when a character called her mansion "a slightly run-down old place."
那位小說家使用了曲言法，讓角色把自己搖搖欲墜的祖宅形容為「稍微有點老舊的小地方」。
characters own words as understatement
A critic called a disastrous movie "not the best two hours I have ever spent."
有位影評人曾把一部災難級的電影形容為「不是我度過最好的兩小時」。
Saying the billionaire "does quite well for himself" is meiosis — he owns three private jets.
說那位億萬富翁「日子過得還不錯」就是曲言法——他可是擁有三架私人飛機。
- understatement
the general term; meiosis is the specific rhetorical figure, usually with ironic or humorous intent
- litotes
a specific subtype of meiosis that uses negation of the contrary (e.g., "not bad" meaning "very good")
- hyperbole
deliberate exaggeration for effect, the opposite of meiosis
用法筆記
Often overlaps with litotes, though some rhetoricians treat litotes as a narrower term referring specifically to negation of the contrary (e.g., "not bad" for "very good"), whereas meiosis covers any deliberate understatement.