*taxis*

{ n. Formerly also }. [ Chemical + Gr. &unr_; arrangement, fr. &unr_; to arrange. ] (Biol.) The sensitiveness exhibited by small free-swimming organisms, as bacteria, zoospores of algæ, etc., to chemical substances held in solution. They may be attracted (positive chemotaxis) or repelled (negative chemotaxis). -- Chem`o*tac"tic a. -- Chem`o*tac"tic*al*ly, adv. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. (Biology) The movement of cells toward or away from other cells, as a result of some stimulation, such as chemical signals transmitted and received by the cells. [ PJC ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + &unr_; to drop. ] (Med.) Bleeding at the nose. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; the same + &unr_; arrangement. ] (Biol.) Similarly in arrangement of parts; -- the opposite of heterotaxy. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; a placing beside, fr. &unr_; to place beside. ] (Gram.) The mere ranging of propositions one after another, without indicating their connection or interdependence; -- opposed to syntax. Brande & C. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ ‖, n. [ NL. phototaxis; photo- + Gr. &unr_; an arranging. ] (Biol.) The influence of light on the movements of low organisms, as various infusorians, the zoospores of certain algæ, etc.; also, the tendency to follow definite directions of motion or assume definite positions under such influence. If the migration is toward the source of light, it is termed
positive phototaxis; if away from the light,
negative phototaxis. -- Pho`to*tac"tic a. -- Pho`to*tac"tic*al*ly, adv. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

{ } n. [ Phyllo- + Gr. ta`xis order. ] (Bot.) The order or arrangement of leaves on the stem; the science of the relative position of leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; a root + &unr_;&unr_;&unr_; arrangement. ] (Bot.) The arrangement of the roots of plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. Syntax. [ R. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ta`xis a division or arrangement, fr. ta`ssein to arrange. ] 1. (Surg.) Manipulation applied to a hernial tumor, or to an intestinal obstruction, for the purpose of reducing it. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In technical uses, as in architecture, biology, grammar, etc., arrangement; order; ordonnance. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. a reflexive movement by a motile organism by which it moves or orients itself in relation to some source of stimulation; as, chemotaxis, the motion toward or away from gradients of certain chemical compounds. [ PJC ]

n. combining form for taxis{ 3 }. [ PJC ]

n. [ NL.; thermo- + Gr. &unr_; an arranging. ] (Physiol.) (a) The property possessed by protoplasm of moving under the influence of heat. (b) Determination of the direction of locomotion by heat. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]