tissue

[tish-oo, tis-yoo]

noun

1. Biology.,  an aggregate of similar cells and cell products forming a definite kind of structural material with a specific function, in a multicellular organism.

2. tissue paper.

3. any of several kinds of soft gauzy papers used for various purposes.

   cleansing tissue; toilet tissue.

4. an interwoven or interconnected series or mass.

   a tissue of falsehoods.

5. a piece of thin writing paper on which carbon copies are made.

6. a woven fabric, especially one of light or gauzy texture, originally woven with gold or silver.

   a blouse of a delicate tissue.

verb (used with object)

tissued, tissuing 

1. to remove (a cosmetic or cream) with a facial tissue (often followed byoff ).

   Tissue all cosmetics off the face before going to bed.

2. to weave, especially with threads of gold and silver.

tissue

/ ˈtɪʃuː, ˈtɪsjuː /

noun

1. a part of an organism consisting of a large number of cells having a similar structure and function

   connective tissue

   nerve tissue

2. a thin piece of soft absorbent paper, usually of two or more layers, used as a disposable handkerchief, towel, etc

3. See tissue paper

4. an interwoven series

   a tissue of lies

5. a woven cloth, esp of a light gauzy nature, originally interwoven with threads of gold or silver

verb

1. rare,  to weave into tissue

2. to decorate or clothe with tissue or tissue paper

tissue

1. A large mass of similar cells that make up a part of an organism and perform a specific function. The internal organs and connective structures (including bone and cartilage) of vertebrates, and cambium, xylem, and phloem in plants are made up of different types of tissue.

Other Word Forms

• tissual adjective
• tissuey adjective
• intertissued adjective
• untissued adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tissue¹

1325–75; Middle English tissew, variant of tissu < Middle French, Old French, noun use of past participle of tistre to weave < Latin texere

Word History and Origins

Origin of tissue¹

C14: from Old French tissu woven cloth, from tistre to weave, from Latin texere

Example Sentences

They’re a captivating trio that one wishes had been given more challenging connective tissue than the loose narrative grid of “Love, Brooklyn.”

From Los Angeles Times

Bodycare's no-nonsense store layouts are known for their bright lighting, and window displays that often feature piles of toilet tissue or pyramids of washing up powder.

From BBC

“He’s also versatile across range-of-motion, tissue and joint, strength, power and movement traits. So much so that with my 14-year-old, twice a week I want Coach Woodhouse to work with him.”

From Los Angeles Times

Both have since died but helped advance xenotransplantation - the transplanting of living cells, tissues or organs from one species to another.

From BBC

Technically, the US's Uniform Anatomical Gift Act bans the sale of human tissue - but the same law allows you to charge a "reasonable amount" for the "processing" of a body part.

From BBC

Related Words

• balance 
• character 
• composition 
• consistency 
• fabric 
• feeling 
• makeup 
• nature 
• pattern 
• quality 
• sense 
• smoothness www.thesaurus.com
• structure 
• surface 
• taste 
• touch