[ad. L. abscissiōn-em n. of action f. abscindĕre; see ABSCIND. Lit. ‘a tearing away,’ but confused with ABSCISION, q.v.]
1. The action or process of abscinding; a cutting off or violent separation. lit. and fig.
1612. Woodall, Surgeon’s Mate, Wks. 1653, 387. This abscission is not done without great danger of death.
1655. Fuller, Church Hist., VI. 290. Abscission is the onely plaster for such an incurable Gangrene.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 88, ¶ 12. The abscission of a vowel is undoubtedly vicious when it is strongly sounded.
1878. Bryant, Pract. Surg., I. 375. Abscission is the removal of that portion of the eyeball situated in front of the attachments of the recti muscles.
† 2. The state of being cut off; separation and removal. Obs.
1633. T. Adams, Comm. 2 Pet. i. 8. (1865), 97. Bearing no fruit, they are cut away from the vine; incision is blessed, but abscission most wretched.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Great Exemp., I. § 8. 114. He denounced judgement & great severities to … impenitents, even abscission and fire unquenchable.
