freeze fracture
noun
variants
or freeze-fracture
ˈfrēz-ˌfrak-chər 
-shər
1
or less commonly freeze-fracturing
ˈfrēz-ˌfrak-chə-riŋ
: preparation of a specimen (as of biological tissue) for electron microscopic examination by rapid freezing, fracturing along natural structural lines, and preparing a replica of the exposed structural details (as by simultaneous vapor deposition of carbon and platinum) compare freeze-etching
-shə-
2
: the product of or replica prepared by freeze fracture
freeze fractures of bacterial cells
freeze fracture
transitive verb
or freeze-fracture
Dictionary Entries Near freeze fracture
Cite this Entry
“Freeze fracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeze%20fracture. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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