Webster's English Dictionary

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chiasma

chi.as.ma \ki--'az-m*\ \-m*t-*\ \-m*l\ \.ki-*z-'mat-ik\ \ki--'az-mik\ n or 
   chi.as.ma.ta or chiasmas [NL, fr. Gk, crosspiece, fr. chiazein to mark with 
   a chi, fr. chi (] pl x) 1: an anatomical intersection {the optic ~}  2: a 
   fusion and exchange of segments of chromatids between members of a biv 
   alent during meiosis - chi.as.mal aj