Word Study
amniocentesis
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun amniocentesis has 1 sense
- amniocentesis(n = noun.act) amnio - (pregnancy) extraction by centesis of amniotic fluid from a pregnant woman (after the 15th week of pregnancy) to aid in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities; Array is a kind of prenatal diagnosis, centesis
OXFORD DICTIONARY
amniocentesis, n. (pl. amniocenteses) Med. the sampling of amniotic fluid by insertion of a hollow needle to determine the condition of an embryo.
Etymology
AMNION + Gk kentesis pricking f. kento to prick
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